THE PLAYS OF 
HENRY ARTHUR JONES 




The MASQUERADER3 

a ipiai? In four Hct0 

BY 

HENRY ARTHUR JONES 

AUTHOR OP 

"THE LIARS," "MICHAEL AND HIS LOST ANGEL," "THE TEMPTER," 

"THE CRUSADERS," "JUDAH," "THE CASE OF REBELLIOUS 

SUSAN," "THE DANCING GIRL," "THE MIDDLEMAN," 

"THE ROGUE'S COMEDY," "THE TRIUMPH OF THE 

PHILISTINES," "THE MASQUERADERS," "THE 

MANOEUVRES OF JANE," "CARNAC SAHIB," 

"THE GOAL," "MRS. DANE'S DEFENCE," 

"THE LACKEY'S CARNIVAL," "THE 

PRINCESS'S NOSE," ETC. 



Copyright, 1909, by Henry Arthur Jones 



PRICE 50 CENTS 



^ 



NEW YORK 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

14 W18T 22D Strut 



LONDON 
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

z6 Southampton St., 
Strand 




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Book L^__ 

Copyright }l^-^ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE MASQUERADERS 



THE 

MASQUERADERS 

A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 



BY 

HENRY ARTHUR JONES 



Copyright, 1909, by Henry Arthur Jones 



NEW YORK I LONDON 

SAMUEL FRENCH SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

PUBLISHER 26 Southampton Street 

26 WEST 22D STREET I STRAND 



. ri\ -^ 



" I think we had better not tell this story in England, 
for no one would believe it. — I myself was close to the 
squadron, and distinctly saw what happened." 

Lord Roberts, Forty-one Years in India. 



(C) SEPrVJSU9 

CJ-^ "VfiL 6 8 5 7 
SEP 23 1909 



Copyright in the United States. 



My Dear George Alexander, 

This is one of the many original plays of English 
authorship that you have successfully produced during 
your long and honoured management of the St. James' 
Theatre. 

May I gratefully recall our pleasant association during 
its production, and your striking performance of David 
Remon, by asking you to accept its dedication in its 
present form ? 

Gratefully yours, 

HENRY ARTHUR JONES. 



Produced by Mr. George Alexander at the St. James's 
Theatre on zZth April 1894. 



PERSONS REPRESENTED 

David Remon. 

Sir Brice Skene. 

Montagu Lushington. 

Eddie Remon. 

The Earl of Crandover, Master of the Crandover Hunt. 

Hon. Percy Blanchflower. 

Sir Winchmore Wills, M.D. 

George Copeland. 

Fancourt. 

Carter. 

Randall. 

Rodney. 

Sharland. 

Jimmy Stokes, an old huntsman. 

Brinkler, proprietor of " The Stag." 

Thomson. 

DuLciE Larondie. 

Helen Larondie, her sister. 

Charley Wishanger, afterwards Lady Shalford. 

Lady Clarice Reindean, Lord Crandover's daughter. 

Lady Crandover. 

Guests^ Dancers, Fox-hunters, Hotel Servants, and 
Waiters. 



ACT I 

Scene — The Courtyard of the Stag Hotel and 
Assembly Rooms at Crandover. 

{Four years pass.) 

ACT II 

Scene — Drawing-Room at Lady Skene's. 
{Nine months pass^ 

ACT III 

Scene — Private Sitting-Room at the Hotel Prince 
DE Galles, Nice. 

ACT IV. 

Scene — The Observatory on Mont Garidelli, 
Maritime Alps, near Nice. 



The following is a copy of the original play-bill of 
" The Masqueraders^ 

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. 

Sole Ircssee and Manager . . . Mr. GSOROE AI/BXANDJ3R. 

To-night, Saturday, 28th April, 1894, and every 
evening at eight o'clock, 

B new an& origtnal mo&crn pla^, in tout Hcts, 

By henry ARTHUR JONES, 

entitled 

THE MASOUERADERS. 



David Remon Mr. George Alexander. 

Sir Brice Skene Mr. Herbert Waring. 

Montagu Lushington . . . Mr. Elliot. 

Eddie Remon Mr. H. V. Esmond. 

Lord Crandover (Master 

of the Crandover Hunt). . Mr. Ian Robertson. 
Hon. Percy Blanchflower Mr. A. Vane-Tempest. 
Sir Winchmore Wills, M.D. Mr. Graeme Goring. 

George Copeland Mr. Ben Webster. 

Fancourt Mr. Arthur Royston. 

Carter Mr. Guy Lane-Coulson. 

Randall Mr. J. A. Bentham. 

Rodney Mr. F. Kinsey Peile. 

Sharland Mr. A. Bromley-Davenport. 

Jimmy Stokes (an old whip). Mr. William H. Day. 
Brinkler (proprietor of 

" The Stag ") Mr. Alfred Holies. 

Thomson Mr. F. Loftus. 

A Servant , Mr. Theo Stewart. 



THE MASQUERADERS 9 

DuLCiE Larondie Mrs. Patrick Campbell. 

Helen Larondie (her sister) Miss Granville. 
Charley Wishanger (after- 
wards Lady Shalford) . . . Miss Irene Vanbrugh. 
Lady Clarice Reindean 
(Lord Crandover's daughter). Miss Beryl Faber. 
Lady Crandover Mrs. Edward Saker. 

Guests, Dancers, Fox-hunters, Hotel Servants, and Waiters, 



THE PRESENT DAY. 



ACT L 

Scene — The Stag Hotel and Assembly Rooms at 
Crandover. 

{Four years pass.) 

ACT II. 

Scene — Drawing-Room at Lady Skene's 

{^JVine months pass.) 

ACT IIL 

Scene — Private Sitting-Room at the Hotel 
Prince de Galles, Nice. 

ACT IV. 

^cene — The Observatory on Mont Garidelli, 
Maritime Alps, near Nice. 



o E ■ 




THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 

Scene: — The old courtyard of the Stag Hotel and 
Assembly Rooms at Crandover, roofed in to form 
a hall. 

Along right is a har-counter, surmounted hy a 
glass casement and windows, which open and shut 
down on to the counter. In the middle of the 
counter is a lid, which lifts up and forms door- 
way. At the back are steps leading to the 
Crandover Assembly Rooms. On the left the large 
old-fashioned gateway of the Inn. Running all 
round are the old galleries remaining from coaching 
times. Plants and banners hung about the hall. 
On the outside of bar is hung a subscription list, in 
which the words ''Widow and Orphans" and 
" Dick Ramsden " are discernible. Dancing in the 
rooms beyond. Amongst the company are Lord 
Crandover, Lady Crandover, Lady Clarice 
Reindean, Charley Wishanger. Montagu 
LusHiNGTON, a modern young man, is coming 
downstairs.^ 

Lord Crandover 

\^A jovial English aristocrat of about fifty speaks to 
Brixkler.] Devilish rum start this of Miss 
Larondie's, Brinkler. 

Brin. 

\With a grin.l Yes, my lord. 

II 



General call. 
Lord Cran., 
Lady Cran., 
Clarice, Mon- 
ty, Charlie, 
Fancourt, 
Sharland, 
Rodney, 
Randall, 
Brinkler, Sir 
Brice and 
guests. 



• VThen curtain 
rises Mon- 
tagu and 
Charley are 
seated on 
stairs L. 
Fancourt 
and Shar- 
land stand' 
ing by barrel, 
four men are 
playing 
cards in fur- 
ther room. 
Brinkler is 
vith them. 
He conies out, 
and goes 
down R. Lord 
and Lady 
Crandover 
enter from 
ball-room 
and go c, fol- 
lowed by 
Rodney and 
Lady Cla- 
rice, who are 
followed by 
Randall. 
Orchestra at 
back begins 
playing a 
polka just 
before rise of 
curtain. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Where is she? 



Montagu and 
Charley move 
down L. c. ; 
Rodney goes 
up R. and 
joins Ran- 
dall. 



* Guests from 
ball-room 
come on in 
couples and 
disperse R. 
and L. 



Lord Cban. 



Brin^. 



[Pointing off into the bar, l.] In the bar there. 

[They all look off, and show great interest. Mon- 
tagu LusHiNGTON joins the group.^^ 

Char. 

[A very fast, mannish little woman, to Montagu.] 
Not bad, eh ? 

MON. 

Exquisite. That divine poise of the arm as she 
draws the handle of the beer machine is really quite 
priceless. 

Lord Cran. 

Does she bring you much business, Brinkler? 

Brin. 
"Well, she's brought me two good customers, my 
lord. 

Lord Cran. 
"Who are they? 

Brin. 
One of them is Sir Brice Skene, my lord. 
[Lady Crandover exchanges a look with Lady 
Clarice.] 

Lady Cran. 
Is Sir Brice often here ? ^ 

[Lady Clarice is showing interest.^ 
Brin. 
He's almost lived here lately, my lady. 

Lady Clar. 
[To Lady Crandover, aside, hitierly.'] "What did I 
tell you ? 

Lord Cran. 

"Who's the other customer? 

12 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



Brin. 

Ttat mad gentleman that lives at Gerard's Heath, 
Mr. Remon. There he is in the bar now. 

{They all look off, and show great interest. 1 
MoN. 

That pale individual who is dallying with claret in 
the corner ? 

Brin. 

Yes; that's sixty-nine Mouton Rothschild. I get it 
specially for him. Fancy drinking Mouton Roths- 
child! 

Char. 

The man's looking at us. 

[Sir Brice enters from hall-room, comes down gradu- 
ally to group.~\ 

Lord Cran. 
He's an astronomer, isn't he? 

Brin.* 
I believe he is something in that line, my lord. And 
he's got a little brother who is likewise touched. 

MoN. 
iWith the stars, or the barmaid ? 

Brin. 
Miss Larondie isn't exactly a barmaid, is she, my 
lord? 

Lord Cran. 
"No ; her mother was distantly related to the Skenes. 
Her father came of a good old French family.^ * 

Lady Cran. 
The girl might have done well for herself. We used 
to receive her family at the Court and when her 
father died I interested myself to get her a situation 
as a governess in a Christian family. But she be- 
haved very badly. 

13 



* Music cea$ea. 



* Call. Eddie 
— Copeland— 
Dulcie (key), 
David (can- 
dle and rinii), 
warn band. 



* Lord Cran. 
moves up l. c. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Lady Cran. 
moves L. c. 
The four 
card players 
enter and 
join guests. 



MON. 

When one is a governess in a Christian family, one 
is compelled to behave badly for the sake of the 
higher morality. 

Lady Cran. 

Miss Larondie has thoroughly lost caste. And I 
should take it as a great favour if Mr. Brinkler 
would see that she has no chance of — of misconduct- 
ing herself with ^ 

[SiE Brice has come up, and Lady Crandover stops 
embarrassed when she sees /im.] 

Sir Brice. 

With whom ? Is Miss Larondie about to misconduct 
herself, Brinkler? 

Brin". 

No, Sir Brice, I trust not. 

Sir Brice. 

[To Lady Crandover.] Have you any reason for 
supposing that Miss Larondie is about to misconduct 
herself. Lady Crandover ? 

Lady Cran. 

lEmbarrassed.^ I — I am surprised, Sir Brice 

Sir Brice. 

Have you any reason for supposing that Miss La- 
rondie is about to misconduct herself? 



No. 



Lady Cran. 
Sir Brice. 



IPolitely.'] Thank you. 

\^Goes off into the bar. In crossing the bar he has to 
pass Lady Clarice, he bows to her with extreme 
politeness, she bites her lips, and returns his bow. 
Exit Sir Brice into bar.'\ 

14 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT T 



Lady Clar. 
[To her mother, aside.'] Oh, I can't bear it! * 

Lady Cran. 
Hush! 

Lady Clar. 
He has gone to that girl. 
[The next dance begins. The stage gradually clears.'] 

Char.^ 
Our dance, Monty. 

MoN. 
l^Criving arm.] So your vestal self is dedicate to 
matrimony and Sir Digby Shalford ? 

Char. 

Yes ; he's a trifle washed out ; but we are frightfully 
hard up, and you didn't ask me. 

MoN. 
My dear Charley, marriage is the last insult one offers 
to a woman whom one respects. Love if you 
please 

Char. 

Thanks. We'll think about it. By the way, you'll 



• Miisic in boU- 
room begins 
— general 
exit begins. 
Brinkler fol- 
lows Sir 
Brice off ; 
ladies and 
gentlemen 
claim part' 
Tiers and 
move off R. 
Rodney exit 
with Lady 
Clarice, 
Randall toith 
Lady Craii., 
Lord Cran. 
exit with the 
others. 



* Goes c. 



stand a chance with Clarice now Sir Brice has cut 
her. Her connections would be useful to you.^ 

MoN. 
What would Crandover settle on her? 

Char. 
Not much. Clarice would tell me. I'll ask her. 
What would you do it for ? A thousand a year ? 

MoN. 
[Reproachfully.] My dear Charley, don't hurt my 
self-respect. [They go into the hall-room.^] 

[Enter Eddie Remon, a delicate hoy of about twenty, 
highly refined, overstrung, unbalanced. He is 
followed by George Copeland, a bearded, athletic 
man about forty.] 

15 



' Fan. and 
Shar. follow 
Ihe others off. 



* Bell rings l. 
An ostler 
comes down 
steps L. and 
opens gate. 
When Eddie 
and Cope- 
land have 
passed 
through he 
shuts gate 
and exit up 
steps. Eddie 
rujis across 
to stairs r. 
Copeland fol- 
lows. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Cop. 
But what's he doing here ? 

Eddie. 
Sun-gazing. 

Cop. 
Sun-gazing ? 

Eddie. 
Yes. Look! Here's his sun. She's dragging him 
through space, and where the devil they're going to, 
I don't know. 

lEnter Dulcie Larondie from 6ar.*] 

DUL. 

[^Speaking off into the outer bar. She has a large 
key in her hand.^ I've forgotten the candle. Sir 
Brice, would you mind bringing me that candle ? 

[David Remon enters from bar, with the lighted 
candle in his hand. He is a man of about forty, 
pale, studious, philosophic-looking. Sir Brice 
follows quickly, and the two men stand facing each 
other.'] 

Sir Brice. 
Give me that candle. 

David. 

Miss Larondie ^Appealing to Dulcie.] 

DUL. 



> Dulcie goet 
up c, stands 
for a moment 
looking off 
R. Eddie and 
Copeland 
stand aside 
upR. 



* Music ceases. 



[Stands coquettishly looking at both of them.] 
That one shall light me to the cellar who makes him- 
self the most ridiculous over it. 

David. 

[Coming towards her.] That will be myself. 

Sir Brice. 

Give me that candle. 

DUL. 

Sir Brice, Mr. Remon will make himself far more 
ridiculous than you.* 

i6 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



• Warn band. 



David 

behind 



Sir Brice. 
Then let him light you. 

l^Exit into har. Remon is carrying the candle per- 
fectly straight in his hands. Dulcie turns to him.'\ 

DUL. 

You're carrying that candle on one side ; you're drop- 
ping the grease. \^He looks at her, holds it much on 
one side, and drops the grease.'] That's better. 
l^She stands a mament or tiuo looking him up and 
down with comic inspection.] Yes, I think that 
will do. You look very well. Would you mind 
waiting here till I come back ? * 

\_Oravely blows out the candle, and exit l. 
stands there. Pause. Copeland comes 
him, claps him on the shoulder.] 

Cop. 
Davy! 

David. 

[Turns round, cordially.] My dear fellow! 
warm hand-shaking.] You're coming to stay? ^ 

Cop. 

!N^o, to say good-bye. I catch the night mail back, 
and to-morrow I'm off to Alaska. I'm sick of this 
nineteenth-century civilisation, I must do a bit of 
climbing, and get myself re-oxidised. 

David. 

What is it this time ? 

Cop. 

Mount Saint Elias, 18,000 feet high, and snow at 
the sea-level. 

Eddie. 

Davy, your bottle of claret is here in the bar. 

David. 

But Miss Larondie has not come back from the cellar. 
2 17 



[Very 



* David moves 
down L. c, 
and puts 
candle on 
table. Cope- 
land follows 
and stands c. 
Eddie looks 
after Dulcie, 
then goes to 
bar. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



' Musichegins. 



Copeland 
goes L. 



Eddie. 
She came up the other stairs. She's in the bar talk- 
ing to Sir Brice Skene.* [The hand strikes up a very 
bright dance-tune. Eddie puts his fingers in his 
ears.] Oh ! oh ! oh ! Those wretched musicians ! 

Cop. 

What's the matter? 

Eddie. 
Thej are playing horribly in tnne, as if the world 
were full of harmony. I must get a tin kettle and 
put them out. 

[David goes up to the har, shows intense mortifica- 
tion, conquers it. Exit Eddie into hall-room, 
David calls " Brinklee."^] 

Beinkler enters with a hottle and glasses. 

David. 
Brinkler, my claret here. 

[Brinklee brings bottle in cradle and two glasses, 
puts them down on the other side of stage.l 

Bein. 

Mouton Rothschild, sixty-nine. 

David.2 

So I'm mad to drink the finest vintages, eh Brinkler ? 

[Beinkler looks surprised.^ I heard you say so. 

Behst. 
Well, it is unusual, sir. 

David. 

You're right. A man must be mad who drinks the 
rarest wines when he can get salted beer and doctored 
gin. Still, you must humour me, Brinkler. 
[Brinklee seems puzzled.'] Though what's the good 
of climbing Mount Elias, I don't know. [Turning to 
Copeland.] 

Cop. 
To get the top of it.^ 

i8 



* David goes c. 
Brinkler be- 
gins to pour 
out the wine 
very care- 
fully. David 
sits L. c. 



Copeland 
sits L. 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



David. 
But what's the good of getting to the top of it ? 

Cop. 
What's the good of getting to the top of anything? 
You've spent the last dozen years of your life and 
nearly blinded yourself to solve the mystery of sun- 
spots. 

David. 

But sun-spots are practical. 

Cop. 
Practical ? 

David. 

Who solves the mystery of sun-spots may show the 
way to control the future harvests of the world ; and 
who controls the harvests of the world will provide 
cheaper swipes and smaller beer for Brinkler's grand- 
children, eh, Brinkler ? 

Briist. 
\_Comes foricard.~\ Sir? 

David. 

I was saying that the elect of the earth, and by the 
elect of the earth I mean every man who has a vote, 
may get cheaper swipes when I have solved my prob- 
lem of sun-spots. 

Briist. 
Sir? 

David. 

Your grandchildren shall be amply provided for, 
Brinkler. [^Turns to Copeland.] Drink. [^Exit 
Brinkler puzzled.'] A prosperous voyage and a 
safe return, old fellow. {^Drinks.l^ I've drunk to 
your folly, now drink to mine. 

Cop. 
Tell me all about it, Davy. It is folly, then? 

David. 
Ko, if folly is happiness, folly is the greatest wisdom. 

19 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Cop. 



You are happy, then ? 

David. 

INods.'] Yes. And wretched, beyond all telling. 

Cop. 
Why? 

David. 

I shall never win her. She'll never be mine, George. 
And if she were, — that might be the saddest thing of 
all. 



How? 



Cop. 
David. 



When the desired one becomes the possessed one, her 
beauty fades, I love her, George, and I want to keep 
on loving her. [Copeland laughs.'] Laugh at me! 
I laugh at myself. I was forty-two last August. 
You know pretty much what my life has been. 
Drink one glass, old boy, to the days when we were 
twenty-five, and to our old loves. 

Cop. 

[Drinks.] Our old loves. Your last one, Davy? 

David. 

Ah ! She soured me, but she didn't break my heart. 
And she drove me to my sun-spots. So God bless her I 
God bless them all ! Whatever I've been in practice, 
George, in theory I've always had the most perfect 
loyalty to womankind of any man that ever breathed. 
[Copeland laughs.] Don't laugh, you rascal! I 
meant it! I've always kept my reverence for them, 
and I've always known that some day or the other I 
should meet one who would make me worship her 
with the purest devotion a man can feel for a woman. 

Cop. 
And you have met her ? 

20 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



David. 

[Nods, looking towards bar.'] She's in there, flirting 
with the choicest blackguard in England. 

Cop. 

You poor dear fool ! You always would pay half-a- 
crown for anything you could get for twopence. 

David. 

Yes, but I always knew what a fool I was. Do you 
think I don't know what a fool I am now ? George, 
it's not any empress, not any goddess, but just that 
girl in the bar there that owns me body and soul.^ 

Cop. 

Pack up your traps and come to Alaska and forget 
her. 

David. 



[Hand on his heart. ~\ She's packed herself here, and 
here she'll lie snug and warm till all grows cold.* 
[Looking over to bar.] And that blackguard is talk- 
ing to her! 

Cop. 
Who is he ? 

Sir Brice Skene.^ 

The racing man? 



Yes. He's rich. 



If he— what? 



David. 

Cop. 

David. 
George, if he- 
Cop. 

David. 



He shook hands with her last night.^ When his 
finger-tips touched hers, I felt I could kill him, 
George. And if he — if he — ]N'o, I wrong her ! She's 
a good woman. And yet, damn him, he has twenty 
thousand a year 



* Rising and 
going l. c. 



• Music ceases. 



* Moves dovmit. 



* Returns c. 
War?* band. 



21 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Talcing up 

wine. 



* David goes a 



* Cop. rises and 
goes R. c. 
The ostler 
comes doion 
steps and 
waits by gate. 
Music begins. 



Cop. 
Is it a question of money? 

David. 

What do you mean ? ^ 

Cop. 

I've not a single near relation in the world. My 
father left me, I suppose, from two to three hundred 
thousand pounds. [Holds out hand.'] Davy, say 

the word 

David. 
JSTo, George. 

Cop. 
Why should you hesitate ? 

David. 

I don't want it. I've just enough for my wants. 
I've only Eddie to provide for. And I've only one 
extravagance. [Tapping the bottle.] I love good 
wine, and plenty — not too much — of it. 

Cop. 

But if you were rich — perhaps she — 

David. 

Thanks, George; I won't buy her.^ 

Cop. 
You're welcome. 

David. 
I know it. 

Cop. 

By Jove, I've only just time to catch the mail. Good- 
bye, Davy. [They stand hand in hand for some 
moments.^'] I've left a couple of thousand at Coutt's 
in your name. 

David. 
I shan't use it. 

Cop. 
As you please. 

22 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



* Dulcie and 
Sir Brice ap- 
pear in ba r ; 
she is wiping 
glasses. 



' Moves up c. 



David. 
How long shall you be away? 

Cop. 
I shan't come back till I've stood on Mount Saint 
Elias. Can I do anything for you ? ^ 

David. 
Yes. Tell me the quality of the moonshine on the 
top. 

Cop. 

The same quality as your moonshine here, and just as 
real. 

David. 

Is anything real? [^Looking at the fox-hunters and 
dancers-l I've lived so long alone with only Eddie 
that the world has grown quite spectral to me.^ Look 
at these phantoms ! [Pointing to the fox-hunters and 
dancers.^ Is anything real, George? 

Cop. 
Yes; that two thousand at Coutts'. 

David. 
And friendship. Friendship is real, isn't it ? [Shad- 
ing hands.^ God bless you, George. I'll come to 
the station with you. 

(As he is going off Dulcie enters from har. Sib 

Brice Skene following her.'\ 

David. 

[Sees her.'] N'o! [Shakes hands."] Don't break 

your neck over Mount Saint Elias! 

Cop. 
Don't break your heart over a woman! 

David. 
Yes, I shall. After all I'm only playing at life, and 
so I'll break my heart over her — in play. 

Cop. 
Stick to your sun-spots ! [Exit.^] 



23 



' L. Osflcr closes 
gate and goes 
up steps. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Sib Brick 
^Catching sight of the suhscriptilon list.'] What a 
confounded lot of widows and orphans there are in 
the world! 

David. 



^ h. of h.c. fable. 



* Dulcie moves 
c. 



[Sitting on the other side."^] Miss Larondie is an 
orphan. 

DUL. 

Yes, or I shouldn't be here. I wonder why all we 
superfluous women were sent into the world! 

Sir Brice. 
[Leaning on the har.'\ You are not superfluous. 
You are indispensable. 

DUL. 

To whom? 

Sir Brice. 
To me. 

DuL. 

[MaJces a profound mock curtsy. 1 You do me 
proud. [Calls to David.^] Mr. Remon, can you 
tell me why I was sent into the world ? 

David. 
To be indispensable to Sir Brice Skene. 

Sir Brice. 
[Aside to Dulcie.] Why do you talk to that fellow ? 

DuL. 
[Aside to Sir Brice.] Oh, he amuses me. I can 
make such a fool of him, and — I'm so sick of this. 

Sir Brice. 
I'll send you my new mare on Friday. Come to the 
meet. 

DuL. 

I daren't. What would everybody say ? 

Sir Brice. 
What does it matter ? I'll send you the mare. 

24 



THE MASOUERADERS 



ACT I 



' Dulcie crosses 
down R. 



DUL. 

N'o. They'd all cut me. Would your sister chaperon 
me ? You know she wouldn't. 

Sir Brice. 
My dear — ^you've made an awful mistake. 

DuL. 
Don't call me your dear.^ I won't have it. 

Sir Brice. 
[With a little laugh.'] My dear, you've made an 
awful mistake, and there's only one way out of it. 

DuL. 
I don't wish to get out of it. Let them laugh at me, 
and cut me. I can bear it. 

Sir Brice. 

Don't be a fool. If I were to offer you [In a low 

voice.'\ 

DuL. 

[Stops him.] N'o. Pray don't. I shan't take it. 

Sir Brice. 
[Bending nearer to her.^] But if I were to offer 

you 

David. 

[To Sir Brice.] .Will you give me those matches, 
please ? 

Sir Brice. 
Take them.» 

[Enter Jimmy Stokes, an old huntsman in an old 
hunting suit.] 

DuL. 

Oh, Jimmy Jimmy Stokes, I'm so glad to see you! 
How are you, Jimmy Jimmy Stokes ? 

Jimmy. 
[Beaming old fellow of about seventy.] Oh, I'm 
just tol-lol, miss, for a hold 'un. How's yourself, 
miss? 

25 



* David ris6s 
and crosses 
to c. 



* Sir Brice goes 
up c, David 
takes 
matches, 
walks back 
to table and 
seats himself 
at it ; lights 
a candle avd 
reads. Bell 
ring l. Ostler 
enters, opens 
gate. Jim- 
my Stoke.t en- 
ters, shakes 
hands toith 
Ostler, 
crosses c. 
and shakes 
hand with 
Dulcie. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



DUL. 

Oh, this isn't myself, Jimmy. Myself's dead and 
buried, and when I come back to life I shall find this 
queer creature has been playing all sorts of mad 
pranks in my absence. Sit down, Jimmy Jimmy 
Stokes, and put a name on it. 
Jimmy. 

Well, just a little wee drop of gin, miss, if I ain't 
intruding. 

DuL. 

Intruding, Jimmy ? You ought to be welcome at 
any meet of the Crandover.-^ 
Jimmy. 
Head whip five-and-thirty years, I was. And thinks 
I, I'll look in to-night. So I washes myself up, putts 
on my old whip's coat, and here I be as bold as brass. 
You see, miss, I be a privileged party, I be. Thank 
you, miss — Woa, woa, miss — woa ! ^ 

[Sir Bkice and David have been sitting at table, 
looTcing at each other.~\ 

Sib Beice. 
You spoke? 

David. 

1^0. [The look is continued for some moments.*^ 

Sir Brice. 
[Folds his arms over the table, leans over them to 
David.] What the devil do you mean ? 

David. 
[Folds his arms over the table so that they meet Sir 
Brice's, leans over them so that the two mens faces 
almost touch.'\ I mean to kill you if you dishonour 
her. 

Sir Brice. 



J Sir Brice 
comes and 
sits L. c. Dul- 
cie goes to 
bar and 
pours out 
gin. 



' Dulcie is add- 
ing water. 



Call-Fan. 
Shar., Rod.. 
Ran., Carter. 



You'll kill me? 



I'll kill you. 



David. 



26 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



Sir Bkice. 
I'll have her one way or the other. 

David. 

You're warned. 

[Sir Beice rises, goes towards Dulcie^ is about to 
speak to her. David turns round and looks at him. 
Sir Brice stops, calls out to Dulcie^ ivho is talking 
over the bar to Jimmy Stokes.] 

Sir Brice. 
Miss Larondie, I'll send you the mare on Friday. 

[DuLCiE shakes her head. Sir Brice looks at David 
and exit.^ 

Jimmy. 

Well, here's luck to you, miss, and I wish I could see 
you going across the country with the C. H. as you 
used — that's all the harm I wish you, for you was 
a sweet, pretty figure on horseback, you was, and you 
rode straight, you and your father, wire and all — you 
rode straight. 

DUL. 



Don't remind me of old times, Jimmy.^ [^Tiirns to 
David mischievously. 1 Mr. Remon, it's getting late. 
Isn't it time you were going ? * 

David. 

[^Rises.l Grood-night.^ 

DuL. 
Good-night. [As he is passing out to door she calls 



Mr. Remon- 
David. 



out to him again.^ 

IStops.^ 

DuL. 

I've something to say to you. 
David. 
[^Coming to her.'] What is it ? 

27 



1 Dulcie crosses 
to c. 



* Call— Hel- 
en {hand- 
bag.) 



* David moves 
up L,. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



1 Points to 
papers. 
Music ceases. 



DUL. 

[Tapping her forehead impatiently. 1 It's gone! 
Would you mind waiting there till I think what it is ? 

David. 
Certainly. 

DUL. 

That's so good of you. [LooJcs him up and down 
a little while mischievously.^ Can I give you a book 
while you wait ? Here's " Bradshaw," the " Turf 
Guide," this week's ** Sporting Times." ^ 

David. 
I shouldn't understand it. I'll look at you. 

DUL. 

Do you understand me ? 

David. 
Perfectly. 

DuL. 
I don't understand you. 

David. 
You will some day. 

[The dance has finished, and a crowd of young men 
dancers, Fancourt, Carter, Randall, Rodney, 
.Sharland, come chattering and laughing to the 
bar, and shout for drinks together.^'] 

Fan. 
I say, Miss Larondie, I'm dying for a whisky and 
soda. 

Car. 
Lemon squash. 

Ran. 
A baby bottle of jump. 

Rod. 
Brandy and soda. 

Fan. 
Don't serve him, Miss Larondie. He's three parts 
squiffy already. 

Rod. 
Shut up, Fan. 

28 



THE MASOUERADERS 



ACT I 



SlIAB. 

A gin cocktail, Miss Larondie, and I'll show you 
how to mix it. 

Fan. 
Don't trust him, miss. He wants to sneak a sample 
of your spirits for the public analyst. 

Rod. 
Serve me first, Miss Larondie, and I'll give you a 
guinea for Dick Ramsden's widow, 

\_General hubbub and clatter.'] 

DUL. 

Order, order, gentlemen ! Jimmy Stokes, take this 
gentleman's guinea and go round with this list, and 
see what you can get for poor Dick's family. 

[Jimmy takes the subscription list, and is seen to 
go round with it to several of the bystanders, and 
talk to them in dumb show.^] 
Fan. 
I'll go behind and help you. Miss. 
[Lifts up the lid of the counter, and tries to push in.~\ 

Rod. 
[Pushing him back.] Sling, you animal! I'm 
going to be under-barmaid here. 

[They both push in behind the bar.] 
Fan. 
ISTo, you don't. ISTow, gents, your orders, and no 
larking with us poor unprotected females. 

[Putting his arm round Dulcie's waist.] 
[Helen Larondie enters and stands watching 

DULCIE.] 

DuL. 

[Indignantly to Fancoukt.] How dare you? 

Rod. 
[On the other side, puts his arm round her waist — to 
Fancourt.] How dare you ? 

29 



* Bell rings l. 
Ostler opens 
gate. Jim- 
my, having 
been round 
group, sits R. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Brinkler en- 
ters R . 
Stands smil- 
ing at them. 



DUL. 

[^Disengaging herself indignantly.'] Pass out! Do 
you hear 1 Pass out ! ^ [Showing them the way out. 
Sees Helen standing there, shows great shame.] 
Nell! 

Pan. 
[Seizes Rodney hy the collar and runs him out.] 
Pass out ! Do you hear ? Pass out ! 

[Runs him out of the har.] 

Erin, 
Gentlemen ! Gentlemen 1 If you please ! gentlemen ! 
If you please! 

DuL. 

Mr. Brinkler, my sister has come for me. Would 
you mind waiting on these gentlemen? 

[They clamour round Brinkler, repeating their 

orders for drinks. Dulcie goes to her sister.] 

DuL. 

JSTell! [Kisses her.] 

Helen. 
My dear. 

DuL. 

Come and talk to me. [Takes her up to where 
David is standing. She catches sight of David^ who 
has heen watching the scene ivith a mixture of bitter- 
ness and amusement. Seeing David.] Mr. Pemon 
— I had forgotten you. 

David. 
^ You had such pleasant companions. 

DuL. 
I have wasted your time. 

David. 

It's of no value. 

DuL. 
But I'm afraid I've made you rather foolish. 

30 



* Comes doivn 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



* Ostler opens 
gate. 



' David exit 
through gate. 
Ostler goes 
up steps and 
off. 



* Warn band. 



David. 
In a world of fools it's a distinction to play the fool 
for you. In a world of shadows, what does it matter 
what part one plays ? Good-night. ■'■ 

DUL. 

ISTo, come again. 

David. 
It's nearly closing time. 

DUL. 

But we shall be late to-night. Come again by and by. 

David. 
By and by. lExit.^] 

Helen. 
Who is that ? 

DuL. 
His name's Remon. He has haunted the place for 
the last month. He's in love with me. I can make 
him do any foolish thing I please.* [Brinkler 
serves the young men with drinks. The music strikes 
up again, and they gradually go off, leaving the stage 
with only Dulcie and Helen on it.'] Nell, I'm so 
glad — what makes you come so late ? 

Helen. 

\_A soft-voiced, gentle woman of about thirty, in a 
nurse's dress.~] I've just had a telegram to go and 
nurse a typhoid case at Moorbrow, so I shan't see 
you for a few weeks. You still like it here ? ^ 

DuL. 
[Rather defiantly]. Yes, It's livelier than being a 
governess, and it isn't so horrid as nursing typhoid. 

Helen. 
{^Smiling.'] Dear, there's nothing horrid about nurs- 
ing. It's just like a mother and her baby. 

DuL. 
How awful sweet that must be. [^Looking at her 
sister.] How patiently you take our comedown, 

31 



» Sits L. c. right 
of Dulcie. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Kneeling by 
her. 



Miisic begins. 



Nell. Instead of rebelling and hating everybody as 
I do, you've just gone and nursed all these dirty peo- 
ple and made yourself quite happy over it. 

Helen. 
I've found out the secret of living. 

DUL. 

What's that ? 

Helen. 
Forget yourself. Deny yourself. Renounce your- 
self. It's out of the fashion just now. But some day 
the world will hear that message again. 

DuL. 
[LooJcing at Helen with admiration .''^1 I wish I 
was good like you, J^ell. No, I don't. I don't want 
to deny myself, or renounce myself, or forget myself. 
I want to enjoy myself, and to see life. That's why 
I screwed up my courage and answered Brinkler's 
advertisement, and came here. 

Helen. 
And are you enjoying yourself ? * 

DuL. 
[Defiantly']. Yes, after a fashion, 
man, or one of those girls upstairs, 
have all the pleasure and happiness of life ? 

Helen. 

You're sure they have all the pleasure and happiness 
of life? 

Dul. 
At any rate they've got w^hat I want. Oh, how I long 
for life ! How I could enjoy it ! Hark ! [Dance 
music swells.l Isn't that dance maddening? I must 
dance! [Begins.'] Oh, Nell, I was made for 
society! Oh, for London! for pleasure! To be 
somebody in the world ! How I would worship any 
man who would raise me to a position! And 
wouldn't I repay him ? What parties I'd give ! I'd 

32 



I wish I was a 
Why should they 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



• General call. 



have all London at my feet ! I could do it ! I know 
I could ! Oh, is there anybody who will take me out 
of this dead-alive hole and give me the life I was 
made for ? * 

[Flings herself wildly round, half dancing, and drops 
her head into Helen's lap sobbing. '\ 

Helen. 
[Stroking Dulcie's hair very softly.'] My poor 
Dulcie ! I knew you weren't happy here. 

DUL. 

I hate it! I hate it! Nell, don't be surprised if I 
do something desperate before long. 

Helen. 
Dulcie, you'll do nothing vn-ong. 
[Lifting up Dulcie's head, looking keenly at her."] 

DuL. 
What do you mean ? Nell, you know I wouldn't. 
Kiss me, ducky. .Say you know I wouldn't. 

Helen. 
[Kisses her."] I don't think you would, but — when I 
came in and saw those two men 

DuL. 



[Quickly.'] Boys. They meant nothing. One has 
to put up with a good deal here. Men aren't nice 
creatures.^ 

Helen. 
Dulcie, you must come away from this. 

DuL. 
Where ? What can I do ? I wish somebody would 
marry me. What wouldn't I give to cut Lady 
Clarice as she cut me to-night ! 
Helen. 
Did she cut you ? 

DuL. 
Yes. She gave me one look — Nell, if she looks at 
3 33 



' Dulcie rises. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Goes R. c. 



* Helen rises 
and joins 
Dulcie. 



me again like that, I don't care what happens, 1 
shall box her ears.-^ 

Helen. 
Dulcie ! 

DUL. 

But if she cuts me, Sir Brice has cut her. And he 
pays me no end of attention.^ 

Helen. 
You're not growing friendly with Sir Brice ? 

DUL. 

ISTo — yes — he's always paying me compliments, and 
asking me to take presents. 

Helen. 
You haven't taken his presents ? 

DUL. 

1^0. Don't fear, Nell, I'll take nothing from him 
except — if he were really fond of me, I'd marry him, 
:Nell. 

Helen. 

ISTo, dear, no. He's not a good man. 

DUL. 

ISTell, there ain't any good men left in the world. 
The race is extinct. I daresay Sir Brice is as good 
as the rest, and if he were to ask me I should say 
" yes." [Helen shakes her head*} Yes, I should, 
ISTell. And I should make him a good wife, Nell, for 
there are the makings of a good wife in me. I should 
say " yes," and oh, wouldn't I like to see Lady 
Clarice's face when she hears the news. 

Helen. 
I hope he won't ask you, Dulcie. 

DuL. 
Stranger things have happened. 

Helen, 
I must be going. I've to watch a fever case to-night. 

34 



• Music ceases. 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



' Laugh off. 



DUL. 

[Twining Helen's arms round her neck.^ I wish I 
could have a fever. 

Helen. 
Dulcie ! 

DuL. 

It would be so lovely to be nursed by you. [Hug- 
ging her.^ I shall never love a man as I love you, 
Nell. But I suppose that's a different kind of love. 
[Helen sighs.l What makes you sigh? 

Helen. 
Good-bye, Dulcie. 

DuL. 

Good-bye, you dear, nice, soft, warm, comforting 
thing. You're as good as a boa, or a muff, or a 
poultice to me.^ I'll let you out this way. It's 
nearer for you. 

[Exeunt Helen and Dulcie tJirougli har.'] 

[Sir Brice enters from hall-room, followed by Lady 
Crandover, Lady Clarice following. Lady 
Clarice goes and sits down quite apai't.^ 

Lady Cran. 
Sir Brice ! ^ 

[Sir Brice turns, stops.'\ 

Lady Cran. 

[Somewhat emharrassed}. Do you know what peo- 
ple are saying of you ? 

Sir Brice. 

I haven't an idea. But whatever it is, don't stop 
them. 

Lady Cran. 

Sir Brice. All through the season you have paid the 
most marked attention to Clarice. 

Sir Brice. 
I admire Lady Clarice immensely. I have a very in- 

35 



* Lady Cran. 
going doicn 
c. Sir Brice 
going down 
L. c. Guests 
follows slow- 
ly on and 
move down 
R. and u. A 
lady and 
gentleman 
enter front 
vp R., on 
gallery, and 
go L. c. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



• Goes L. with 
Clarice, 



genuoiis nature, and perhaps I allowed it to become 
too apparent. 

Lady Cran. 
You allowed it to become so apparent that every one 
in the county supposed as an honourable man — * 

Sir Brice. 

Ah, that's a nice point, isn't it ? If Crandover thinks 
I have behaved dishonourably, the Englishman's 
three remedies are open to him — he can write a letter 
to the " Times," or he can bring an action, or — he 
can horsewhip me. Personally, I'm indifferent which 
course he takes. Excuse me. 

[Goes off into the har.l 
Lady Ckan. 

\_Enraged and almost in tears, goes to Clarice]. 
My dear, he's a brute ! What an awful life his wife 
will have ! ^ 

Lady Clae. 
Then why did you run after him ? Why did you let 
me encourage him ? 

Lady Cran. 

Clarice, he has twenty thousand a year. 

Lady Clar. 
But everybody says he'll run through it in a few 
years. He lost fifty thousand on the Leger alone. 

Lady Cran. 
I know. Oh yes, he'll soon get through it. Well, 
now you've lost him, it's a great comfort to think 
what a perfect brute he is. You've had a lucky 
escape. 

DuLciE re-enters from har. Jimmy re-enters with 
subscription list.^ 

Lady Clar. 
[Watching Dulcie.] Yes, but I don't like being 
thrown aside for that miss there. 

36 



* Laugh off k., 
Jimmy 
Stokes is run 
on c. by Fan., 
Shar., Rod. 
and Ran. 
Jimmy has 
the list and is 
seen expostu- 
lating with 
them. Mon., 
Char, and 
Lord C. fol- 
low. 



THE MASRUERADERS 



ACT I 



What luck, Jimmy? 
IShahes his head.^ 



DUL. 



Jimmy. 



DUL. 



[Takes the subscription list from him.li Oh, Jimmy 
Jimmy Stokes, when we keep a Punch and Judy 
show, I'll never send you round with the hat.^ 

Jimmy. 

Ah, miss, we know how you could get a peck of money 
for 'em — don't we, Mr. Fancourt? 

Fan. 

By Jove, yes. Jimmy has made a splendid sugges- 
ton, Miss Larondie. The only question is, will you 
agree to it ? 

DuL. 
What is it, Jimmy? 

Jimmy. 
You back me up, miss, that's all, will you ? ^ 

DuL. 
Certainly. Anji;hing to keep Mrs. Ramsden and her 
chickabiddies out of the workhouse.* I always feel, 
you know, Jimmy, that it was through me that Dick 
was killed. 

Fan. 

Through you, Miss Larondie ? 

DuL. 

I was leading across Drubhill. I took the drop 
into the road. Dick was next behind. His horse 
stumbled and [shuddersl they picked him up dead. 
[x4ZZ the young fellows have crowded round and 

listen.^^ 

Jimmy.* 
'Twas me as picked him up if you remember, miss, 
and took him home, I did, ah, it's three years ago 

37 



• Returns list 
to him. 



' TJiree other 
guests enter 
from up R. on 
gallery and 
join people 
over bar. 

* Call David. 



^ Charley comes 
doivn R. 

* Diiring 
speech, all 
lauyh or ac- 
quiesce as 
required. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



last February, yes, and I broke the news to his wife, I 
did, and what's more, I helped to lay Dick out, I did, 
and I says to his wife, " Don't take on now, you 
foolish woman," I says, " why," I says, " it might 
have been felo-de-se^ But it were a nasty drop 
jump, miss, a nasty drop jump. 

DUL. 

And if I hadn't taken it, perhaps Dick might have 
been alive now. 

Jimmy. 

!Not he, not he. Dick'd have drunk himself to death 
before this. He was a royal soul, Dick was. And if 
you'll only back me up, we'll raise a little fortune for 
Mrs. Ramsden in no time. 

DuL. 

Very well, Jimmy. But what is this plan, eh, Mr. 
Fancourt ? 

Fan. 

Tell her, Jimmy. You started it.^ 

Jimmy. 
Well, miss, seeing all these young gents here, it 
struck me as, human nature being what it is, and no 
getting over it, no offence I hope to anybody, but if 
you was to offer to sell one, mind you, only one, of 

your kisses to the highest bidder 

DuL. 
[Indigantly.~\ What? 

MoN. 



Rod, and 
Ran. urge 
Jimmy on. 



* Mon. has 
come down 
to R. of Dul- 
cie. Three 
guests leave 
the court- 
yard and go 
into gallery 
L. Following 
them appears 
a housemaid 
L. ," and a lit- 
tle later the 
ostler and 
two parlour 
maids enter 
on gallery 
from R. 



A very excellent and original suggestion ! ^ 

Dul. 
The idea ! What nonsense ! 

Fan. 
N^onsense ? I call it a jolly good idea. 

Shar, 
Splendid ! By Jove, we'll carry it out too. 

38 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



DUL. 

Indeed we won't. Jiminy, give me that list. 
[Takes the subscription list from Jimmy.] Mr. 
Fancoiirt will give me something, I'm sure. 

Fan. 
I should be delighted, but [nudging Sharland] 
fact is, I've promised Sharland I wouldn't give any- 
thing except on the conditions Jimmy Stokes has just 
laid down. 

DuL. 
Mr. Sharland. 

Shar. 

Very sorry. Miss Larondie, but fact is [nudging 
Eancourt] I've promised Fancourt I wouldn't give 
anything except on the conditions Jimmy Stokes 
has laid down. 

[DuLciE turns away indignantly, sees Lady Cran- 
DOVER and Lady Clarice, hesitates a moment, then 
goes somewhat defiantly to them,.'] 

DuL. 
Lady Crandover, may I beg you for a small subscrip- 
tion to Dick Ramsden's widow and children ? 

Lady Cran. 

[Very coolly. ~\ I always leave such things to Lord 
Crandover. [Turns away.] 

DuL. 

Perhaps Lady Clarice 

Lady Cran. 
I thought I heard some one propose a way in which 
you could raise some money. 

Sir Brice. 

[Coming from bar.] Raise some money? What's 
the matter here ? 

Fan. 

Jimmy Stokes has just proposed that Miss Larondie 

39 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



should benefit the Dick Ramsden fund by selling a 
kiss by auction. 

Sir Brice. 
What does Miss Larondie say ? 

DUL. 

Impossible ! 

MoN. 

!N"ot in the least. If you will allow me, gentlemen, I 
will constitute myself auctioneer. [To Dulcie.] I 
beg you will place yourself entirely in my hands, Miss 
Larondie.^ Trust to my tact to bring this aifair to a 
most successful issue. After all, it's not so indelicate 
as slumming. 

DuL. 
No, no! 

MON.2 



* Lady Cran. 

rises — Carter 
vioves a chair 
L. Lady 
Cran. sits. 
Clarice 
stands beloio 
her. Carter 
above. 

• Rodney sits 
on barrel be- 
low Monty 
and prepares 
to record 
bids. When 
Monty asks 
for hammer, 
Randall, 
who has mov- 
ed over to 
bar gets mal- 
let, hands it 
to Jimmy, 
who passes it 
to Monty. 
Monty conghs 
with mock 
deference 
and every- 
body ap- 
plauds. He 
then says 

" Ladies and 
gentlemen ; " 
Jimmy 
.'ill nuts 
" Hear, 
hear!'''' He 
is quieted by 
Rodney — 
Monty pro- 
ceeds. 



' During this 
speech all ap- 
plaud, or 
laugh or 
agree as oc- 
casion de- 
viands. 

* Dtdcie ap- 
peals to Mon- 
ty and Jim,- 
my in turn. 



Allow me. A rostrum. Rodney, you are my clerk. 
That wine case. \_A wine case is brought forioard 
from sideJ^^ And that barrel, if please. A ham- 
mer. [A large mallet, such as is used for hammering 
bungs in beer barrels is given to him.~\ Thank you 
[He mounts.~\ Ladies and gentlemen. [Chorus of 
''Hear, hear."^'] We must all admit that the 
methods of raising the wind for all sorts of worthless 
persons and useless charities stand in need of entire 
revision. Fancy fairs, amateur theatricals, tableaux 
vivants, and such grotesque futilities have had their 
day. In the interests of those long-suffering persons 
who get up charity entertainments, and those yet more 
long-suffering persons who attend them, it is high 
time to inaugurate a new departure. [Cries of 
" Hear, hear,"^ Ladies and gentlemen, there are 
three questions I take it which we ask ourselves when 
we raise a charitable subscription. Firstly, how shall 
we advertise ourselves, or amuse ourselves, as the case 
may be ? Secondly, how far shall we be able to 
fleece our friends and the public ? Thirdly, is the 
charity a deserving one ? — The only really vital ques- 

40 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



tion of the three is " How shall we amuse ourselves 
in the sacred cause of charity ? " 

[Cries of " Hear hear."^ 
Lady Cran. 
Lushington, stop this nonsense before it goes any 
further ! Do you hear ? 

MoN. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am in your hands. Shall I 
go on? 

[Loud cries of " Yes, yes — Go on — Go on, Monty — 
Go on, Lushington/'J 

Lord Cran. 

[To Lady Clarice.] Now she'll disgrace herself. 

Sir Brice. 

[Having overheard.^ What did you say, Lady 
Crandover ? 

Lady Cran. 
Nothing, Sir Brice. 

Sir Brice. 
I understood you to say that Miss Larondie would 
disgrace herself. 

DUL. 

[With shame-l Oh, Sir Brice, please let me go! -^ 

David Remon enters. Dulcie going off comes face 
to face with him — stops. 

Sir Brice. 
No, stay. Don't take any notice of what has been 
said. 

David. 
What has been said ? ^ 

Sir Brice. 
What business is it of yours? Miss Larondie is a 
connection of my family. Go on, Lushington — Go on. 
We'll have this auction — it's in the cause of charity, 
isn't it ? Go on ! 

41 



• Dulcie goes 
over to Sir 
Brice. 



* Dulcie comes 
back to Jim- 
vit/, who 
after a ivhile 
puts a stool 
in c. of stage, 
upon which 
Dulcie sits. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



David. 
[To Montagu.] What auction? What charity? 

MON. 

[^Soothingly.'] Gentlemen, gentlemen, we are taking 
this far too seriously. Pray be calm and allow me to 
to proceed. [Cries of "Hear! Hear! — Go on, 
Monty!"] In an age when, as all good moralists 
lament, love is so often brought into the market, the 
marriage market — and other markets — and is sold to 
the highest bidder, it would, I am convinced, require 
a far more alarming outrage on propriety than that 
which we are now about to commit, to cause the now 
obsolete and unfashionable blush of shame to mount 
into the now obsolete and unfashionable cheek of 
modesty. Gentlemen, without further ado I offer for 
your competition — one kiss from Miss Larondie. 
[Movement on the part of David. Sir Brice and he 
stand confronting each other.] One kiss from Miss 
Larondie. What shall I say, gentlemen? 



A sovereign. 



Fan. 
MoN. 



A sovereign is offered. I will on my own account 
advance ten shillings. Thirty shillings is offered, 
gentlemen. 

Shar. 
Thirty-five shillings 

MoN. 

I cannot take an advance of less than ten shillings 
on this lot. Shall I say two pounds ? 

[Sharland nods.] 
Sir Brice. 
A fiver. 

[David steps forward towards Sir Brice.] 

MoN. 
Thank you. A fiver. You are trifling, gentlemen. 

42 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



Fan. 



Six. 



MON. 

Six guineas — guineas only. Six guineas is offered. 
Gentlemen, if you do not bid up, in justice to my 
client I must withdraw the lot. 
Shab. 
Seven. 

Sir Brice. 
Ten. 

MoN. 

Ten guineas. Gentlemen, only ten guineas — only ten 
guineas for this rare and genuine, this highly 

desirable 

David. 
Twenty guineas. 

MoN. 
Twenty guineas. Thank you, sir. This gentleman, 
sees the quality of the article I am submitting 

Sir Brice. 
Thirty.! 

MoN. 
Thirty guineas. Gentlemen, is the age of chivalry 
dead ? Mr. Fancourt, you are credited with some 
small amount of prowess among helpless ladies 

Shar. 
Cut in, Fan. 

Fan. 
Thirty-one. 

MoN. 

Cannot take advances of less than five guineas. 
Thirty-five guineas. Gentlemen, will you force me to 

expatiate further on this exquisite 

David. 
Forty. 

Sir Brice. 
Fifty. 

43 



» Advancing 
to c. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



[David and Sik Bkice are getting nearer to each 
other.^ 

LoKD Ckan. 

Lushington, this is enough. This is getting beyond 
a joke 

MoN. 



* General 
laugh. 



Then it's the only thing in life that ever did, so we'll 
continue.^ Bid up, gentlemen, bid up. I am 
assured, gentlemen, by my client, the vendor, that on 
no account will this lot ever be duplicated. I am 
therefore offering you a unique opportunity of pur- 
chasing what I will venture to describe as the 

most 

David. 
Sixty. 

Seventy. 

Enough — enough ! 



Sik Bkice. 



Lord Cran". 

Stop this jest. 
MoN. 
Jest ? I presume you are in earnest, gentlemen, about 
the purchase of this lot ? 

David. 
I am. 

Sir Brice. 
Go on, go on. 

MoN. 
Seventy guineas, seventy guineas. Gentlemen, you 
have not all done? Mr. Eancourt, faint heart 

Shar. 
Have another shy, Ean. 

Ean. 
Seventy-five. 

MoN. 
Seventy-five. Going at seventy-five guineas — the only 
chance ; going at seventy-five guineas. 

44 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



David. 



[Looking at David.] 



Sir Bkice. 

{Getting close to David.] 
David. 

Sir Brice. 



Fan. 

I say, Bricey, don't let me in. 

Sir. Brice. 
Eighty. 

Ninety. 
A hundred. 
Two hundred. 

Three hundred. 

Lord Cran. 

Skene, come away, do you hear? Come away. 
[Trying to drag Sir Brice away.^ 

Sir Brice. 
Let me be. What's the last bidding, Lushington ? 

MoN. 
Three hundred guineas. 

Sir Brice. 
Eive.i 

A thousand. 

Fifteen hundred. 

Two thousand. 



David. 
Sir Brice. 

David. 
Sir Brice. 



• Dulcie rises 
and stands 
between 
them. 



Three, and [groivling~\ be damned to you! [Pause.^ 
Knock it down. Lushington.* 

[Long pause. David shows disappointment.^ 

MoN. 

Three thousand guineas is offered, gentlemen. 
[Pause.^ No further bid ? Going at three thousand. 
Going, going. [KnocJiS it down.^ Sir Brice, the lot 
is yours at three thousand guineas. 

45 



* Warn band. 
Call Eddie. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Brinkler 
turns to bar 
counter, gets 
writing 
things, then 
takes out 
pocket-hook 
and gets 
stamp. Sir 
Brice sits at 
R. c. to tcrite 
cheque — 
reads out : — 
" National 
Provincial 
Bank, Cr an- 
dot^er. pay 
Montagu 
Lushington, 
Esq., three 
thoiieand 
guinea.s." 
Brinkler 
affixes stamp. 
Sir B. rises 
and hands 
cheque to 
Monty, xuho 
has come 
down B. 



* Music begins. 



SiK Bkice. 

Brinkler, pens, ink, and paper 
[Stepping towards barrel. David 
You've no further business liere.^ 



and a stamp. 
comes to him.^ 



David. 
Yes, I think. 

[Pens, ink, and paper are brought to Sir Brice; he 
hastily dashes off the cheque, gives it to Mon- 
tagu.] 

MoN. 

Thank you. Miss Larondie, a cheque for three thou- 
sand guineas. You have secured an annuity for your 
protegees. 

DUL. 

[Refusing the cheque.~\ ]^o. 

Sir Brice. 
Miss Larondie. [David looks at him.'] It will per- 
haps save any further misconstruction if I tell these 
ladies and gentlemen that an hour ago I asked you to 
do me the honour to become my wife. 

[General surprise.'] 
DuL. 

Sir Brice 

Sir Brice. 

Will you do me the favour to take that cheque for 
your charity, and the further favour of becoming 
Lady Skene ? 

[Montagu offers the cheque. A pause. Dulcie 
looks round, looks at Lady Clarice^ takes the 
cheque.] * 

DuL. 

Thank you, Sir Brice. I shall be very proud. 

[David shows quiet despair. Goes to back. Half 
the guests crowd round Sir Brice and Dulcie, 
cojigratulating. The others show surprise, interest, 
and amazement.] 

46 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



' A general 
exit begins — 
people on 
gallery exit 
R. and L. 
those on 
stage go off 
into ball- 
room. 



Lady Cean. 

[In a very loud voice.^ My carriage at once. 

LoKD Cran. 

[In a low voice to her.'\ We'd better stay and make 
the best of it. 

Lady Cean. 

Iso, my carriage. Come, Clarice. 

[Goes off. A good many of the guests follow Zier.] 

[Exeunt Lady Claeice and Loed Ceandovek.^] 

SiE Beice. 
[To Fancouet.] The Crandovers have gone off in a 
huff. Bet you a tenner they'll dine with me before 
three months. 

FAisr. 
Done! 

Sir Beice. 

[To DuLCiE.] If you will allow me, I will place 
you in my sister's care. She's in the ball-room. 

Due. 

[Looking at her dress.l No, Sir Brice, not yet. 
I've one of my old evening dresses upstairs. May I 
put it on ? 

Sir Beice. 

Yes, if you like. I'll wait for you at the ball-room 
door. 

DUL. 

I won't be a moment. 

[Running off up stairs with great excitement and 
delight.^ 

MoN. 

[To Sir Brice.] Congratulate you heartily, Sir 

Brice. [Offering hand.} 

Sir Brice. 

[Taking it.l Oh, I suppose it's all right. 

47 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



> Turns away 
and lights 
cigarette. 



' L. through 
gate. 

• David rises, 
comes down 
to table L. c, 
puts out can- 
dle, cross to 
H. table, 
throws down 
pen, sits R.c. ; 
tries to read 
but brealcs 
down. Eddie 
enters from 
ball-room 
and goes to 
him. 



Shar. 

[To SiK Brice.] Your wooing was charmingly 
fresh and original, Sir Brice. 

Sir Brice. 
Think so ? ^ 

Char. 

[To Monty.] What on earth does he want to marry 
the girl for? 

MoN. 

Somebody has bet him a guinea he wouldn't 
[Exeunt Charley and Montagu into the hall-room.'] 

Fan. 

Bravo, Bricey, my boy! This'll make up to you 
for losing the Leger. 

Sir Brice. 

Think so ? I'll go and get a smoke outside 

[Exit at gates-l 
Shar. 

[To Fancourt.] Just like Bricey to do a silly 
fool's trick like this. 

Fan. 

I pity the girl. Bricey will make a sweet thing in 
husbands. 

Shar. 

By Jove, yes. Her life'll be a regular beno, and no 
mistake. 

[Exeunt ^ David is left alone sitting at hacJc.^'] 

[Enter Eddie. David drinks and laughs rather 
"bitterly to himself .'\ 

Eddie. 

What's gone wrong, Davy ? 

David. 

Miss Larondie is going to marry Sir Brice Skene. 

48 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



Eddie. 

Oil, then the solar system is all out of joint! Poor 
old big brother ! 

David. 

I won't feel it, Eddie, I won't feel it. 

Eddie. 

Yes, you will, Davy. Yes, you will. Why weren't 
you tumbled into Mars, or Jupiter, or Saturn, or 
into any world but this ? 

David. 
Why ? 

Eddie. 

This is the very worst world that ever spun round, 
for a man who has a heart. Look at all the heartless 
and stupid people ; what a paradise this is for them ! 

David. 

I'll forget her and plunge into my work.^ There 
are millions of new worlds to discover. 

Eddie. 

Yes, but are they all like this ? because if they are, 
what's the use of discovering millions more of them ? 
Oh, Davy, isn't there one perfect world out of all 
the millions — just one — where everything goes right, 
and fiddles never play out of tune ? 

David. 

There isn't one, Eddie, not one of all the millions. 
They're all alike.^ 

Eddie. 

And breaking hearts in all of them ? Oh, let's 
pretend there's just one perfect star somewhere, shall 
we? 

David. 

Oh, very well ; let's pretend there's one in the nebula 
of Andromeda. It's a long way off, and it does no 

4 49 



* Rises and 
goes c. — Ed- 
die sits R. on 
table. 



* Returns to 
him. 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



harm to pretend. Besides, it makes the imbroglio of 
the miiverse complete if there is one perfect world 
somewhere in it.^ 



* Moves doion 
L. Olid stands 
with back to 
audience— 
Miisic ceases. 



3 Goes up R. c. 
Eddie stops 
him. 



' Moves doxvn 
L. c. Eddie 
follows c. 

♦ Warn band — 
%varn cur- 
tain. 



* Upi.. 

^ David goes 
up c. Mo- 
tfovs Eddie 
away. 



^ Dtdcie crosses 
c. David re- 
mains L. c. 



Music begins. 



Sir Brice enters smoking, throws away his cigarette, 
looks at David rather insolently, goes into the hall- 
room. 

David.^ 

If he doesn't treat her well — what does it matter? 
It's all a farce, but if he doesn't treat her well, I feel, 
Eddie, I could put a murder into the farce, just for 
fun.^ 

Eddie. 
Come home, Davy.* 

David. 

Let me be, my boy. It's only a pinprick. I shall 
get over it. 

Eddie. 

I wish I could bear it for you, Davy. 

David. 

That would only mean your heart breaking instead 
of mine. 

Eddie. 

Don't you think I'd break my heart for you, Davy ? 

DUL. 

[Her voice heard ojf.'^'] Thanks ! I can't wait ! Sir 
Brice is waiting for me ! ^ 

Eddie. 

Poor old big brother! [Exit, l,] 

[Enter Dulcie down the stairs in evening dress, ex- 
cited, radiant.^]; 

DuL. 

[Seeing David,] I thought you'd gone. Did you 
hear ? I'm to be Lady Skene. Do I look nice ? * 
[Very excited.^ I beg your pardon — I don't know 

50 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT I 



* Dulcie crosses 



what I'm saying. [Lools roimd.li I wish there 
was a looking-glass here.-"- I wonder where Sir Brice 
is — I'm to be Lady Skene — won't you congratulate 
me ? 

David. 

I hope you will be happy. 

DUL. 

'No, congratulate me. 

David. 
I hope you will be happy. 

DUL. 



Ah, you think I shan't be happy? Then I will, 
just to spite you ! ^ 

David. 

Ah, do spite me and be happy. 

DuL. 

[Fidgeting with her dress.'] I'm sure my dress isn't 
right. Wasn't that a jest about the kiss? 

David. 
A great jest. 

DuL. 

You wouldn't have really given two thousand guineas 
for a kiss from me? 

David. 

[Nods.'] Why not? Sir Brice gave fifty thousand 
for the pleasure of losing the Leger. 

DuL. 
But he stood to win. 

David. 
So did I. 

DuL. 
What? 

David. 
The kiss. 



» Dulcie crosses 



ACT I 



THE MASQUERADERS 



DUL. 

But you wouldn't really have given two thousand 
guineas for it? 

David. 

[Nods.^ I think highly of women It's a pleasing 
delusion of mine. Don't disturb it. 

DuL. 

\_Loohing at him, after a little pause.l You are the 
strangest creature, but what a splendid friend you'd 
make! I'm keeping Sir Brioe waiting. ITurns 
round, sees that the lace on the shirt of her dress is 
hanging loose.^ Look at that lace! What can I 
do ? [ Giving him a pin.^ Would you mind pinning 
that lace on my skirt ? 

David. 

[Takes the pin, Jcneels, and pins the lace, unseen hy 
DuLCiE^ kisses the skirt.'] Will that do? 

DuL. 

Thank you so much. Do I look nice ? 

[He looks up at her imploringly, like a dumb 
creature; she glances swiftly round to see that 
they are alone, suddenly bends and kisses him; runs 
up the ball-room steps. A burst of dance-musical 

[Three years and a half pass between Acts I. 
and II.] 



* Music ceases. 



52 



t/5 g" 


^^ 


^ 


^Z ? 


^""^ 


w ^ §, 


r 


< ^ 1 
5. o H g 


1 
c 


i 


Q e^ ^ s 




! 


en <a 1 


\ 


S8 


§." 








:act il 



Scene. — Reception-room at Lady Skene's. A great 
crowd in farther room. Discover Lady Cran- 
DOVEK^ Lady Clakice^ Charley Wishanger 
[now Lady Shalford,] Montagu, Fancourt, 
Sharland, and the young men of the first Act. 
Among the guests in farther room Sir Winchmore 
Wills and the Hon. Percy Blanchflowek. 



Lady Cran. 
Char. 



It's astounding. 

What is ? 

Lady Cran. 

The "Way every one runs after this woman. She's 
got everybody here again to-night. 

Lady Clar. 

Professor Rawkinson and the Bishop of Malmesbury 
vt^ere fighting to get her an ice. 

Char. 
What is the secret of her popularity? 

MoN. 
Why did you come here to-night? 

Char, 

I ? Oh, I came because everybody else comes. Why 
did you ? 

MoN. 

Because everybody else comes. Do we ever have any 

53 



General call. 
Song uitk 
piano ucconi.- 
panimeat 
heard off l. 
When song 
nearly fin- 
ished, cur- 
tain rises. 
At end of 
song all ap- 
plaud ; then 
Lady Cran- 
dover speaks. 
Lady Cran- 
dover and 
others are 
down c. ; 
guests up c. 
and L. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



other reason for going anywhere, admiring anything, 
saying anything, or doing anything? The secret of 
getting a crowd to your room is, " Entice a hell- 
wether/' The flock will follow. 

Chak. 

Who was bell-wether to Lady Skene ? 

MoN. 

The old Duchess of Norwich. 

Lady Cran. 

I suppose the duchess knows all about Lady Skene's 
antecedents ? 

MoN. 
What does it matter about anybody's antecedents to- 
day ? 

Lady Cran. 

We must draw the line somewhere. 

MoN. 

On the contrary, my dear Lady Crandover, we must 
not draw the line anywhere. We have yet got to 
learn what democracy means. 

Lady Clab. 

What does democracy mean ? 

MoN. 

That there is no line to be drawn, either socially, 
morally, pecuniarily, politically, religiously, or any- 
where. 

Lady Clar. 
How horrid ! * 

MoN. 
[^Continuing. ^ Who are the interesting people here 
to-night? Of course there's a crowd of respectable 
nonentities — But who are the attractions ? Attrac- 
tion number one : ^ a financier's wife — the most charm- 
ing woman in the world — gives the very best dinners 

54 



* Rises and 
moves up b. 



• TTie lady men- 
tioned enters 
from, R. and 
Joins other 
guests. 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



in London — had an extensive acquaintance amongst 
the oiScers at Aldershot fifteen years ago. 

[The Hon. Percy Blanchflower, a fussy, huzzy, 
mincing, satirical little creature, with a finicking, 
feminine manner and gestures, has overheard, comes 
up to the group.^ 

Blan.^ 

What's this ? — eh ? — hum ? l!^o scandal, I trust ? 

MON. 



ISTo, Blanchflower ; ^ no scandal — only the plain, 
unvarnished truth about all our friends. 

Blan. 

Ah, then I'll stay and listen.^ Go on! 

MoN. 

Attraction number two: leading temperance and 
social purity orator ^ — can move an audience of ten 
thousand to tears — leads the loosest of lives — and 
is suspected of having poisoned his wife. 

Blan. 

But she had a fearful cockney accent. And he's 
very kind to his aged aunt and pretty niece — eh? — 
hum ? Give him his due. 

MoN. 

My dear Blanchflower, I'm not blaming the man for 
poisoning his wife. It may have been a necessity of 
his position ; and if she had a cockney accent, it was 
a noble thing to do. Attraction number three : ^ 
pretty little lady who has just emerged triumphantly 
from the Divorce Court, without a spot upon her 

pretty little character. Attraction number four * 

[Lady Clarice rejoins the group.l 

Blan. 

^Interrupting.'] N'o! N^o! Skip number four! 
We know all about her. Attraction number five. 

55 



• R. of Monty. 



' Moves L. c. 
and sits. 



* Sits between 
Char, and 
Lady C. 



* The gentle- 
man indicat- 
ed enters 
with a lady 
from L. They 
move slowly 
up stage and 
talk to others 



» The lady al- 
luded to en- 
ters from L., 
accompanied 
by a Bishop. 
They move 
up c. 

* Warn band. 



ACT II 



THE MASOUERADERS 



» The gentle- 
man describ- 
ed enters 
from L. ac- 
companied 
by a lady. 
They move 
up L. c. 
slowly. 



* Rises and 
goes R. c. 



» Standing 
back of sofa 



* Music at 
back. 



* Sir Winch- 
more comes 
down c. 



And mind, I shall thoroughly scold you all- 
Lushington has got through his list. 

MoN. 



-when 



[Proceeding.^ Attraction number five:-^ impres- 
sionist artist, novelist, and general dirty modern 
dabbler — is consummately clever — a consistent 
scoundrel in every relation of life — especially to 
women — a liar, a cheat, and drunkard — and a great 
personal friend of my own. 

Blan. 

Oh, this is too shocking! This is really too 
shocking ! ^ 

Lady Clar. 

You've omitted the chief attraction to-night — our 
famous astronomer. 

MoN. 
Remon ? ^ 

Blan. 
Of course. Since his great discovery we've only one 
astronomer in England.* 

Chak. 
What was his great discovery ? 

Blan. 
Don't know. Some new spots on Venus, I believe. 

MoN. 

No. That she wanted a new belt to hide the manners 
of her inhabitants, which were distinctly visible 
through his new large telescope, and if constantly 
observed would tend to the corruption of London 
society.^ 

Blan. 
You naughty person ! You're not to look through 
that telescope! 

MoN. 
My dear BlanchfloAver, I have; and I assure you we 

56 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



' Moves down 
L. Blanch. 
Comes to 
Monty. 



have nothing to fear. But I tremble for the morals 
of Venus if they get a telescope as large as Remon's 
and begin to look at us/ 

Blan. 
Tell me, this friendship of the astronomer with Lady 
Skene — eh ? hum ? — quite innocent — eh ? 

MoN. 
I have never known any friendship between a man 
and a married woman that was not innocent. How 
can it be guilty, unless the woman is ugly ? 

Lady Clar. 
Poor dear Lady Skene is fearfully ill-used, I hear. 
[Sib Winchmoke Wills, a fashionable middle-aged 
physician, has come up and joined the group.^ I've 
heard that Sir Brice gets drunk and — then — dreadful 
things happen. 

Blan. 

But that can't be true — eh ? hum ? — Sir Winchmore — 
eh? 

SiK Win. 
I have never treated Sir Brice for alcoholism, nor 
Lady Skene for bruises. 

Blan. 
No, of course, no — but you've heard — hum ? eh ? 

Sir Win. 
Singularly enough, I have never heard or seen any- 
thing in the least discreditable to any one of my 
patients. [Eddie enters from l. and talks to guests.'] 

Char. 
I know for a fact Sir Brice came a terrific cropper 
last week at Epsom, and doesn't know how he stands. 
[Eddie is listening attentively.'] 

Blan. 
And — hum — the astronomer — hum? eh? hum? — is 
there any truth — eh ? 

57 



* Charley goes 
c. with Sir 
W. and Fan- 
court. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Monty sits l. 
of Lady 
Crnn. Eddie 
cornes doivn 
L. and lis- 
tens. 



* Eddie moves 
away up l. 



' Monty rises 
and goes c. 



• Music ceases- 
Call Dulcie. 
(Ring). 



* Eddie moves 
dovmh. 



Well, we hnow that our astronomer succeeded a few 
months ago to an immense fortune left him by a 
mountaineering friend in Canada. We know that 
Sir Brice neglects his wife and is practically ruined. 
We know that Lady Skene continues her parties, her 
household, her carriages, and we know that our as- 
tronomer pays [Pause.'] the greatest attentions to 
Lady Skene.^ Of course this doesn't absolutely prove 
Lady Skene's guilt ^ — yet why should we deprive our- 
selves of the pleasure of believing and circulating a 
spicy story about our friends merely because there is 
only the very slightest foundation for it ? 

[Eddie rises rather indignantl'i/ and comes a little 
nearer to the group without being noticed by 
them.] 

Blan. 

Oh, this is very naughty of us. We are actually 
talking scandal about our hostess. We ought to be 
ashamed of ourselves ! 

Lady Cran. 

Really, it's time somebody made a stand, or society 
will be ruined. Here is a woman who was actually 
a barmaid at a public-house — her name is in every- 
body's mouth in connection with this astronomer, and 
yet * 

MON. 

And yet we crush to her receptions. At least you do,. 
Lady Crandover. 

Lady Cran. 

Oh, we are all to blame for lowering the moral tone 
of society as we are doing. 

Blan. 

Oh, my dear Lady Crandover, please, please, please, 
do not make things unpleasant by dragging in 
morality. But where is the astronomer ? — eh ? hum ? * 

58 



THE MASOUERADERS 



ACT II 



Eddie. 

My brother will be coming by and by. I'll tell him 
he's wanted here. 

[Exit. Blanchflower looks aghast and stares 
round at all the rest, who show some slight discom- 
fiture. Fancoubt a?id Sharland join the group.'] 

Blan. 

That's the astronomer's brother. Have 



r me 



Dea 

we said anything ? — hum ? eh ? 

MoN. 

My dear Blanchflower, what does it matter what lies 
we tell about each other when none of our friends 
think any the worse of us if they are true ! 

Blan. 
Oh, but it's very wrong to tell lies, very wrong indeed. 
I've not seen Sir Brice to-night. Where is he? eh? 

Fan. 
Bricey doesn't generally stay very long at his wife's 
receptions. 

Shar. 
Bricey's latest little hobby is teaching the girls at the 
Folly Theatre to box.^ 

Fan. 
Yes. Last Tuesday he was in great force at the 
Ducks and Drakes Club egging on Betty Vignette to 
fight Sylvia Vernon. 

Shar. 

Oh, that's coming off — two hundred a side, on Sunday 
night week. 

Fan. 
{^Cautiously winhing at Sharland, in a warning 
way.] 1 say, old chap, keep it quiet. I wonder 
where Bricey is to-night.^ 

MoN. 
iWhat does it matter whether he is playing baccarat 

S9 



• Lady Clarice 
goes slowly 
up R. to door. 
Carter takes 
Lady Cran, 
up c. 



■ Fan. crosses 
front of so/a 
to c. Blan., 
Shar., Sir W. 
and others 
form a group 
behind sofa. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



with the pot-boy at the corner, or clandestinely taking 
bis nurse-girl to the Alhambra on the pretence that 
it is a missionary meeting? We may be quite sure 
that Bricey is doing something equally vicious, stupid, 
disreputable, and — original. 

Chak. 

[To Monty.] Come here, you monster. Have you 
heard the news ? 

[During the conversation of Chakley and Monty 
the other group put their heads together and 
whisper.^ 

MON. 

What? 

Char. 

Sir Joseph is going to leave the Marchmoore estates 
to Clarice. 

MoN. 
[Glancing at Lady Clarice.] Sure? 

Char. 

Fact. The will is to be signed in a few days. Clarice 
told me so in confidence. 



* Breaks away 
and moves 
h. c. 



MoN. 



Thanks. 



[Strolls cautiously up to Lady Clarice, hovers 
about her till he gets a chance of speaking to her. 
A general laugh from the group.l 

Blan. 

[WAo has heen in centre of group."] Oh, this is very 
shocking! ^ We are actually talking scandal about 
our host. And he has his good points. He hasn't 
strangled his baby, has he, Sir Winchmore ? 

Sir Win. 

Sir Brice has the greatest consideration for the wel- 
fare of his offspring. [Dulcie comes from other 

60 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



Call Sir 
Brice. 



room magnificently dressed, restless, pale, nervous, 
excited.^ He never goes near it. 

lAn awkward little pause as they see Dulcie. Lady 
Clarice goes up to her.'] 

Lady Clak. 

What a lot of interesting folks you always have, dear. 
Who is that lady in pale blue ? 

DUL. 

Mrs. Chalmers. 

Lady Clar. 
The lady who has figured so much in the newspapers 
lately ? What a singular gift you have of attracting 
all sorts of people, dear.* 

DuL. 
Have I ? That's sometimes a misfortune. 

Lady Clar. 
Yes, it does involve one in undesirable acquaintances 
and relationships. 

DuL. 
Still it must be rather annoying to be without it. 
[Goes restlessly to Sir Winchmore. Lady Clarice 
shows slight mortification. Monty, who has been 
watching the scene, goes up to her.] 

MON. 

Lady Clarice, let me give you some supper.^ 

DuL. 
[Taking Sir Winchmore a little aside.] Sir Winch- 
more — so kind of you to come. [In a half whisper.] 
That sleeping draught's no use — you must send me a 



stronger one. 



[Shakes his head.] 



Sir Win. 
Lady Skene- 

DUL. 



[Impetuously.] Yes, yes, please — I must have it — 
I've not slept for three nights. 

6i 



> Takes her off 
R., Shar. and 
Lady Cran. 
folloxo them. 
Blanch, 
moves up 

L. C. 



ACT II 



THE IvIASQUERADERS 



• Blanch, 
moves down 
c. 



Sir Win. 
Lady Skene, let me beg you 

DUL. 

'No, no, no, — you must patch me up and keep me 
going somehow till the end of the season, then you 
shall do what you like with me. 
Sir Win. 

But, Lady Skene 

DuL. 

[^Intense suppressed nervousness.'] But ^ [7m- 

ploringly.'] Oh, don't contradict me. — When any 
one speaks to me I feel I must shriek out *' Yah, yah, 
yah!" [Blanchflower has overheard the last 
speech. Dulcie sees that Blanchflower is loohing 
at her, controls herself after an immense effort, puts 
on society smile. To Blanchflower.] The bishop 
was talking to me just now about his mission to 
convert the West End of London, and I could scarcely 
keep from shrieking out to him " Yah, yah, yah ! " 
Isn't it strange? 

Blan. 

T^ot at all. Clergymen always produce that effect 
upon me.^ 

Dui.. 
[Turning to Sir Winchmore.] Sir Winchmore, 
you'll run up to the nursery and see Kosy before you 
go, won't you ? 

Sir Win. 
What's the matter ? 

DuL. 
Nothing, only a little tumble and a bruise. My sister 
Nell is with her, but you'll just see her ? 

Sir Win. 
Certainly. 

DuL. 

I'm so foolish about her. [Imploringly.'] She is 
strong and healthy, isn't she ? 



s ^ovet R. 



62 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



SiK Win. 
'A magnificent child. 

[Sir Brice Jias entered through other room. He looks 
coarser and more dissipated than in first Act, and is 
more hrutalised. There is a slight movement of all 
the guests away from him. Sharland enters r.] 

DUL. 

[Not seeing Sir Brice. To Sir Winchmore.] 

Really ? Eeally ? 

Sir Win. 

Really. Sir Brice and you may well be proud of her. 

[.Sir Brice's entrance has caused an awkward pause 
amongst the guests.^ 

Sir Win. 

We were talking of your youthful daughter, Sir 
Brice. 

Sir Brice. 
I hate hrats.^ •Jtfove«L. 

\_Another awTcward pause."] 

DuL. 
[To cover it, rattles away with forced gaiety.] We 
shall see you at Ascot, of course, Mr. Blanchflower. 
— Sir Winchmore, what are these frightful new 
waters that you are sending all your patients to ? — 
That reminds me. Lady Shalford, how is Sir Digby's 
gout? 

\_Slight continued movement of the guests away from 
Sir Brice.] 

Char.^ * ^<^<^^ of so/"- 

Terrible. I pack him off to Aix on Thursday. 

DuL. 
\S)ame tone.] So sorry he couldn't come to-night. 

Char. 
My dear, I'm very glad, and so I'm sure is everybody 

63 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



who knows him. If Aix doesn't cure him, I shall 
try something drastic. 

Sir Brice.^ 

Serve him as I did my trainer Burstow. 

DUL. 



* Crosses to 
her, and 
stands L. of 
sofa. 



* Moves L. c. 
with Sir W. 



• Call David. 



[Noticing the guests' repulsion, slightly frowns at 
Sir Brice unobserved hy the guests, and goes on 
speaking to change the suhject-l We shall go to 

Ilomburg again ^ 

Sir Brice. 

[Speaks her down. To Charley.] Burstow had 
the gout. I treated him myself. [Coarse little 
chuckle.'l * I gave him a bottle of port, champagne 
at intervals, and brown brandy ad lib. A tombstone 
now marks Burstow's precise position, which is longi- 
tudinal. I wrote his epitaph, but the vicar wouldn't 
pass it. So the vicar and I have a law-suit on. 

[Another coarse little chuckle. Another awkward 
little pause.l 

DuL. 

[To cover it, continues.l Mr. Fancourt, did you 
make inquiries about the house-boat for us? 

Sir Brice. 

We shan't go to Henley. 

DuL. 

[To Fancourt.] Then of course you needn't make 
inquiries. 

Fan. 

But I've arranged it. My brother will be awfully 
delighted if you'll accept the loan of his for the 
Henley week. You and Sir Brice will be awfully 
pleased with it. 

Sir Brice. 

[2Iore decidedly.'] \\e shall not go to Henley. 

64 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



* They move up 



' Sharland 
moves down 
K. of him. 



DUL. 

[AnotJier covered frown at Sir Brice, agaiji con- 
trolling herself with immense effort and speaking very 
calmly. '\ Will you thank your brother and say we 
shall not be going, ^ 

\^Awhward pause. Sir Brice puts his hands in his 
pockets and yawns. Dulcie engages the group in 
conversation, and they crowd round her.'] 

Sir Brice. 

Percy,^ come and have a little game of poker in the 
smoking-room. 

Shar. 

Very sorry, Bricey, haven't so much as a fiver with 
me. 

Sir Brice. 

You can borrow. Can't you borrow, eh ? 

Shar. 
Very sorry, dear old chap ; never borrow or lend. 

\_Exit.^ Sir Brice stands and yawns, looks sulky 
and vicious, then calls out.] 
Sir Brice. 
Fancourt. [Fancourt glances hut does not come.] 

Fan — Fan, I say {At length Fancourt comes.'^] 

We're getting up a little hand at poker just to wind 
up this infernally dull evening. 

Fan. 

{^Shakes his head and laughs.] Not good enough, 

Bricey — not good enough. 

[Remon enters l. At his entrance guests show 
marked interest, and the conversation stops. Sir 
Brice watches with a sulky expression. Dulcie 
shows great pleasure, goes to meet Remon.] 

DuL. 
I'm so glad you've come. You have so many engage- 
ments. [Shakes hands.] 
5 65 



' Shar. goes off 



* Fan. comes 
down on Sir 
Brice's r. 
TTiey move L., 
where Sir 
Brice sits ; 
Fan. stands 
behind him. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Moves front 
of sofa to c. 



David. 

jSTone more pleasing than this. 

Blan. 

I insist on knowing Mr. Eemon — somebody introduce 
me — introduce me.^ 

DUL. 

Mr. Remon — Mr. Percy Blanchflower. 

Blan. 

I'm so delighted to know yon. We want to look at 
Venus through that large telescope of yours. 

David. 

It's in the South of France. 

Blaist. 

I go there every winter. We were talking about your 
wonderful discoveries — hum ? eh ? We want to know 
all about them. 

David. 

Oh, spare me, or rather, yourselves.^ 

[Sir Bkice laughs.^ 
Fan. 

You seem to have got something good all to yourself, 
Bricey. 

Sir Brice. 

Yes, I have. [Laughs.'] 

Blan. 

[Aside, to Sir Winchmore.] What is Remon's 
discovery ? eh ? 

Sir Win. 

Haven't the least idea — something about Saturn, I 
fancy. 



• David turns 
to group c ; 
some of 
whom are in- 
troduced to 
him. — In a 
moment or so 
they move 
away, and 
another 
group takes 
their place 
and waits to 
be intro- 
duced. 



' Sits on sofa. 



Blan. 

[Buzzes up to Remon.] Your last discovery no^ — 
about Saturn, wasn't it — hum ? eh ? ^ 

66 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



\_All through David's conversation with the guests, he 
adopts the same light, frivolous tone throughout, 
and speaks without the least suggestion of serious- 
ness. This gives a contrast to the scenes with 

DULCIE.] 

David. 

lAmused, very light and chaffing tone.~\ x\boiit 
Saturn? Oh yes. My conjecture is that bad folks 
when they die are sent to Saturn to study current 
theology, and if at the end of five hundred years they 
know anything about it, their probation is complete. 

^General laugh. David tmms to group. Sir Brice 
laughs.'] 

Fan. 
"What is it, Bricey ? 

SiK Bkice. 

Lady Skene is making a howling fuss with all of you 
to-night. She'll make a howling fuss of another kind 
next week. I can't stand that astronomer fellow.^ 

Blan. 
But do tell us, Lady Skene, what is Mr. Remon's 
great speciality — hum ? eh 1 

DUL. 



I believe Mr. Remon has devoted a great deal of time 
to the study of sun-spots.^ 

Blak. 
Oh — ah, yes — hum. !N^ow [to David] what is the 
special function of sun-spots — hum ? eh ? What do 
they do ? 

David. 

Instill amused, chaffing, mysterious.'] I've long had a 
suspicion that there is a very subtle connection between 
sun-spots and politics — in fact, I am convinced that 
the present decadence of political manners and morals 
is entirely caused by the persistence of a certain sun- 
spot. As soon as we can remove it, the natural in- 

67 



* Fan. moves 
up and over 



2 Back of sofa. 



ACT 11 



THE MASQUERADERS 



grained honesty and patriotism of our politicians will 
reassert themselves. [General laugh.^^ 

SiE Brice. 



* Blanch, goes 
R. and joins 
group there. 
Sir Brice 
rises and 
goes c. 



* Joins group r. 



* Violin and 
piano off l. 



[^Pushes a little forward with a rather insolent manner 
to David.] My character is always puzzling me. 
Can you tell me whether its present development is 
due to sun-spots ? 

David. 

[Is about to reply rather angrily, is checked by a look 
from DuLciE, speaks very politely.^ You might not 
think me polite, Sir Brice. 

Sir Brice. 

[Persisting.^l I should like to have a scientific ex- 
amination made of my character. 

David. 

[Still controlling himself. 1 I fear I should not make 
a sympathetic operator.^ 

Sir Brice. 
[Still persisting.^ But 

DUL. 

[WAo has been watching very apprehensively, to Sir 
Brice.] My dear, Lady Franklin wants to ask you 
something about a horse for Ascot. She was here a 
moment ago. [Looking around, drawing Sir Brice 
away from the group, who close up round Eemoi^. 
DuLciE is getting Sir Brice away.'\ For God's 
sake keep away from us! [A guest is just passing, 
Dulcie turns to her with a forced society smile and 
manner. 1 How do you do? What a sweet frock! 
[Shakes hands with guest, who passes on.l 

Sir Brice. 
[Sulkily. 1 What's the matter? 

[Approaching her.l 
DuL. 
Don't go near any one You smell of brandy.* 

68 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



\^All this under breath with great terror and 
apprehension.'] 

Sir Brice. 

[Getting a little, nearer her.] I rather like the smell 
of brandy. 

DUL. 

[Terrified, under breath.] Keep away — keep away 
— if you come a step nearer to me I shall shriek out 
before everybody. You nearly drove me out of my 
mind this morning. Oh, for Heaven's sake — do go — 
do go! 

Sir Bsice.^ 



Well, as it's infernally slow here I will go — but — you 
may as well know, there will be no Ascot, no Henley, 
no Goodv.'ood, no Homburg, no anything. We shall 
be sold up within a month. 

DUL. 

\_Is staggering for a moment.] 

Sir Brice. 

Ta ta ! — my blessing — I'm going to the Club. 

[Exit L. DuLciE stands overwhelmed for a moment, 
tries to pull herself together, staggers a little. 
David, wIlo has been watching her and Sir Brice, 
leaves the group and comes to her, speaks with great 
feeling, very softly, his tone and manner to her in 
great contrast to his tone and manner with the 
guests.] 

David. 

Lady Skene, you are in trouble — you are ill.^ 

DuL. 

[Again with the forced society smile.] No, only the 
fatigue of the season, and the rooms are so crowded, 
aren't they ? ^ 

[A group of guests begin little gestures and signifi- 

69 



*■ Crossing L. 



' General exit 
of guests off 
R. Blanch., 
Sir W., Fan. 
Charley, 
move vp c. 
Thomson 
enters l., and 
goes vp c. 
onto balcony. 

* Crossing R. C, 
atid sitting. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



• Making as if 
to speak to 
David, goes 
back of so/a 
to R. 



ca7it glances and whispers, watching David and 

DULCIE.] 

[Eddie re-enters, and unnoticed holes from one group 
to the other^^ 

David. 

I'll tell Sir Winclimore. 

DUL. 

'No, don't take any notice. If I can only get through 
this evening! \_With a sudden instinct, appealing to 
him with great entreaty. 1 Tell me something that 
will carry me through this next hour till they have 
all gone. Give me that sort of medicine! 

David. 



[^^Vith the utmost tenderness and feeling, in a low 
voice, bending over her. The glances and whispers 
continued.^ Your trouble isn't real. This society 
world of yours isn't a real world. There's one little 
star in Andromeda where ever^'thing is real. You've 
wandered down here amongst these shadows when 
you should have stayed at home. 

DuL. 



{Pleased, lending herself to his suggestions.'] 
these real men and women ? 

David. 



Aren't 



No. They are only masquerading. Good God, I 
think we are all masquerading! Look at them! If 
you touched them with reality they would vanish. 
And so with your trouble of to-night. Fly back to An- 
dromeda, and you will see what a dream all this is. 

DuL. 
How strange ! I was half dead a moment ago, and 
you've made me so well and happy. But you — do 
you belong to Andromeda, — or to this world ? 
[Eddie has been watching and comes down near to 
them.] 
70 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



l^Stops, looks at David.] 
David. 

[LooJiS around at guests savagely. Stands for a mo- 



■ Eddie leans 
over sofa. 
Dxdcie rises 
and goes r. 
TTiomson 
comes from 
c. She'directs 
him off R., 
and follows 
him. 



David. 

To both. But the little star in Andromeda is my 
home. I'm only wandering with you amongst these 
phantoms. 

[They have become for the vioment quite ahsorhed. 
Eddie^ who has been watching the whispers and 
smiles, comes up to them, speaks rather sharply.^'] 

Eddie. 

Lady Skene — that lamp-shade — \_Pointing off.'] 
Won't it catch fire? [^Taking David's arm, drag- 
ging him away.] I want to talk to you, Davy. 

[DuLciE turns to manservant, points to the lamp- 
shade, and gives him directions concerning it.] 

David. 

[Turns savagely on Eddie^ growls.] Why the devil 
did you come between us ? 

Eddie. 

Don't you care for her, Davy ? 

David. 
Care for her ? 

[DuLCiE having given manservant instructions, goes 
to guests.] 

Eddie. 
Do you know what these folks are saying ? That Sir 
Brice is ruined, and that you have lately come into 
a fortune.^ 

David. 
Well? 

Eddie. 
And that she continues her parties, her dresses, her 
house, because you 



- Monty and 
Lady Clarice 
enter from 
R., and stand 
talking in 
dooncay. 
Dulcie re- 
enters and 
joins them. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ment or two reflecting, his face then assumes a look 
of great resolve.^ 

Eddie. 

[Watching him.'] I was right to tell you, Davy? 

David. 

[Shakes Eddie's hand in reply. Another little 
pause.] Go and tell her, Eddie, that I must see her 
for a few minutes by and by — to-night — when every- 
body is gone. 

Eddie. 

What are you going to do, Davy? 

David. 

We'll get away south to-morrow, old boy. The 
observatory's nearly finished, and — there's no tittle- 
tattle between the snows and the stars. Go and tell 
her I must see her, and bring me back her answer.^ 

Eddie. 

[To DuLciE.] You've not been down to supper, 
Lady Skene. 

DUL. 

I really don't want any. 

Eddie. 
But I've a message for you. 

DuL. 
A message? 

Eddie. 
From Andromeda. 

[Exeunt Dulcie and Eddie.] * 
Lady Clar. 
You are really too dreadful.^ 
Blan. 

[Buzzing round Remon.] That's a charming theory 
of yours about the effect of sun-spots on morality. 

72 



* Eddie goes to 
Dulcie who is 
talking to 
guests up R. 
David moves 
itp to Blanch, 
and Charlie, 
irho rise 
from so/a 
and come 
down c. 



* Violin and 
and piano 
cease. Warn 
band. 

* Goes into bal- 
cony c, and 
talks to Sir 
W. Mon. goes 
dotvn back of 
sofa. 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



David, 
Yes. It isn't true, but it's very consoling. That's 



why I invented it.^ 

MoN. 

If it's charming and consoling, why should it be 
true? 

David. 
Why should it ? and put everything else out of focus. 

Blan. 
Out of focus! Ah! I'm afraid you're a dreadful, 
dreadful pessimist. 

David. 
'No ; but I'm as willing to play that part as any other, 
since it's only in jest.* 

Char. 
In jest ? What do you mean ? 

David. 
I have to spend so much time alone amongst the stars, 
that when I come back into the world I am quite at 
a loss. I find myself amongst crowds of shadows — 
very charming shadows they are — playing at money- 
making, playing at religion, playing at love, at art, 
at politics, at all sorts of odd games, and so for the 
time, I join in the game, and pretend to take an in- 
terest in it ; and a very pleasant game it is, so long as 
we don't mistake it for reality. 
Char. 
But surely we are realities ! 

David. 
With the profoundest respect in the world. Lady 
Shalford, I cannot bring myself to believe that you 
are. Still, I won't spoil your game by staying out.^ 

Blan. 
[^With a little affected, mincing earnestness.l Oh, 
but surely, surely there is Something real Somewhere. 

73 



* Lady Cran. 
and Carter 
enter r. and 
go into bal- 
cony c. They 
are followed 
by a lady and 
gentleman. 
Two others 
come on and 
cross to sofa 
up L. 



♦ Orchestral 
selection on 
stage. 



» Sits L. of her. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Oh, yes — surely, surely — we must believe that there 
is — hum ? eh ? — a Kind of — eh ? — a Sort of a Some- 
thing — Somewhere, eh ? 

David. 

If you like to believe there is a kind of a sort of a 
something — somewhere — and you find it consoling, 
I'm as willing to pretend to believe that as anything 
else. 

Blan. 

[Still luith the same affected earnestness.'] Oh, but 
surely, when you look into your own heart — hum? 

eh?i 

David. 



* Moves L. c. 



'Rises and 
moves L. 
Monty takes 
place vacated 
by David. Sir 
W. bids good 
night to lady 
and gentle- 
men up L. 
and exit b. 



* Eddie enters 
R., and goes 
over to 
David. Lady 
Clarice and 
Carter come 
down from 
balcony and 
goR. 



I always wear a mask over my heart. I never dare 
look into it.^ 

MON. 

I find this world a remarkably comfortable and well- 
arranged place. I always do exactly as I like. If I 
want anything I buy it, whether I pay for it or no. 
If I see a woman I admire I make love to her, 
whether she belongs to another man or no. If a lie 
will answer my purpose, I tell it. I can't remember 
I ever denied myself one single pleasure in life ; nor 
have I ever put myself out to oblige a fellow-creature. 
I am consistently selfish and I find it pays ; I credit 
everybody else with the same consistent selfishness, 
and I am never deceived in my estimate of character. 
These are my principles, and I always act up to them. 
And I assure you I find this world the pleasantest 
possible place. 

David. 
A fairy palace ! An enchanted spot ! Only take care ! 
While you are dancing, there may be a volcano 
underneath. 

MoN. 

If there is, surely dancing is the pleasantest prepara- 
tion for the general burst-up.^ 

74 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



Eddie. 



Davy- 



David. 



IGoes to Tiim.'l Well? 

Eddie. 

She'll see you to-night. Come back here when they've 
all gone. 

Blaist. 

[To Monty.] How charmingly frank you are, 
Monty. 

MoN. 

Why not ? ^ We have one supreme merit in this 
generation — we have ceased to render to virtue the 
homage of hypocrisy. 

David. 

And our moral evolution is now complete. Good- 
night ! 

l_Exeunt David and Eddie.^ *] 

MoN. 

Incoming down with Lady Clarice.] Of course I 
know there is something wretchedly philistine and 
provincial about marriage, but I will take care this 
aspect of it is r^ever presented to you. 

Lady Clar. 

I wonder what makes marriage so unlovely and so 
uninteresting ? 

MoN. 

The exaggerated notion that prevails of its duties and 
responsibilities. Once do away with that, and it be- 
comes an ideal state. Lady Clarice, you'd find me 
the most agreeable partner in the world. 

Lady Clar. 

You'd be like most other husbands, I suppose. 

75 



Rising. 



* Music ceases. 

' Fa7i. and 
Char, go up 
stage to bal- 
cony. Lady 
and gentle- 
man rise 
from sofa up 
L. and exit 
R. Lady and 
gentleman 
on balcony 
bid good 
night to Fan. 
and Char, 
and exit L. 

Lady Clar. 
sits on sofa 
R. Monty 
sits L. of her. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



MON. 

'No; I should be unique. Husbands, as a rule, are 
foolish, jealous brutes, who insist that men shall 
have all the rights and women all the duties, — men 
shall have all the sweets and women all the sours of 
the marriage state. We would start on an entirely 
new plan. The sours we would naturally equally 
avoid, and the sweets, — if there are any, — we would 
naturally do our best to secure. 

Lady Clar. 
Separately, or together? 

MoN. 

According to our tastes. If you do me the honour 
to accept me, I pledge you my word I will never have 
the offensively bad taste to speak of a husband's 
rights. There shall be no " lord and master " 
nonsense. 

Lady Clar. 

It sounds very well in theory. I wonder how it 
would work. 

MoN. 

Let us try. If we succeed we shall solve the vexed 
question of the age, and make ourselves happy in 
showing mankind the road to happiness. 

Lady Clar. 
But if we fail? 

MoN. 

We shall have sacrificed ourselves for the benefit of 
our species. But we can't fail, the plan is perfect. 

Lady Clar. 

If I spoke of rights and duties — if I were jeal- 
ous 

MoN. 

Ah! then you would be departing from the plan. 
Its charm is that it is a patent, self-adjusting, self- 

76 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



• Call. Helen. 
Baby. 



repairing, safety-valve plan, v^^ith double escapement 
action suited to all climates and dispositions.* 'No 
rights, no duties, no self-assertion, no quarrels, no 
jealousy. 

Lady Clar. 
And no love ? 

MON. 



Love is a perverted animal instinct, which is really a 
great bar to solid happiness in marriage. Believe me, 
you will like me and respect me in the end for not 
pretending to any such outworn impulses. You see 
I am frank. 

Lady Clak. 

You are indeed. [LooJcing at him very closely, 
watching him.l You know — [Pause.'] — my father 
cannot make any great settlements, and — {^Watching 
him closely.] I have no expectations. 

MoN. 

[Stands it without flinching.] So I am aware. I'm 
frightfully in debt, and I have no expectations. But 
there is a house in Grosvenor Place — it would suit us 
exactly. 

Lady Clak. 
[Watching him.] But — without money? 
MoN. 

I cannot afford to be economical. I have acted on 
that principle throughout life, and I have always had 
the very best of everything. I do not see we need 
change it. 

Lady Clak. 

You are perfectly atrocious — I don't care for you in 

the least.^ 

MoN. 

My plan is precisely 



[With great politeness.] 
adapted to such cases. 



' Carter and 
Lady Cran. 
enter from r. 
Cross stage to 
down L. 



77 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Charlie and 
Fan. rise and 
enter from 
balcony. 

Fan. bids 
Charlie good 
night and 
and exit a. 



Lady Ckan. 

Come, Clarice — everybody is going. 

MoN. 

I shall call on Lord Crandover to-morrow. You 
don't speak. Does silence give consent ? 

Lady Clar. 

I can't help your calling. 

\^Exit. Monty stands in slight deliberation. 
Chaeley comes out frow, the conservatory behind 
him. She has been watching the last part of the 
scene from the conservatory.^ 

Chae. 
Well? 

MON. 

Landed, I think. You're sure about Sir Joseph and 
the estate ? 

Chae. 

Quite. But it's not to be known yet. I'm a pet, 
ain't I ? 

MON. 

You are. \_Eisses her hand-l 

Chae. 

I must be going. That creature at home will be 
•raising furies. 

MoN. 
When do you pack him to Aix? 

Chae. 
Thursday, praise the Lord! 

MoN. 
When shall I call ? 

Chae. 
Friday ? 

78 



THE MASOUERADERS 



ACT II 



What time? 
Come to lunch ? 
Yes. 



MON. 

Chab. 
MoN. 
Char. 



Friday at two. \_Exchange looks full of meaning.~\ 
Bye-bye. 

MoN. 
Bye-bye.^ 

Char. 

Oh dear, am I the last ? Good-bye, dear [Kisses 
DuLciE.] Monty, come and see me to my carriage.^ 

MoN. 
Good-bye, Lady Skene. 

DUL. 

Good-bye. 

[Exit Monty with Charley.^] 

DuL. 

[To Servant.'] Thomson, I expect Mr. Remon. 
Show him in here.^ 

Sebv. 
Yes, my lady.^ 

[Exit. Helen appears at r. door still in nurse's 
costume.^] 

Helen. 
[Peeps in.] They have all gone, dear. 

DuL. 
I've got such a fever, ISTell. Put your nice cold hand 
on my forehead. That's right. Hold it tight — tight. 
Why didn't you dress and come into my party ? 

Helen. 
I was so tried and bored at the last, and I wanted 
to be with Rosy.'^ 

79 



• Dulcie enters 
B. Charley 
hurriedly 
drops Mon- 
ty''8 hand 
and goes up 
to Didcie. 

' Goes down l. 
Monty joins 
Dulcie. 



' Thomson has 
followed Dul- 
cie on and is 
releasing 
curtains at 
door R. 



♦. Lime offn. is 
turned out. 



• Crosses and 
exit L. 



• Joins Didcie 
who is seated 
on sofa R. 



' Leaning over 
sofa. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



DUL. 



She's all right? 



» Sits R, of Buh 
cie. 



Helen. 

Yes. She was awake a moment ago. 

DuL. 

ISuddenly.'] Fetch her! I must see her! Oh, 
you're right, Nell; it's been a hateful evening, with 
only one bright spot in it — when he came and 
whispered something so sweet. 

Helen. 

[Suddenly,'] Dulcie, you're sure of yourself? 

DuL. 
I'm sure of him. 

Helen. 
He has never spoken — of — of 

DuL. 

Of love ? l^ever. What does that matter ? I know 
he loves me. 

Helen. 
Dulcie, you shouldn't say that — even to yourself.^ 

DuL. 

Oh, that's all nonsense, Nell ; as if there was ever a 
woman in this world that didn't know when she was 
loved ! 

Helen. 
Dulcie ! 

DuL. 

[ProvoJcingly.'] He loves me! He loves me! He 
loves me, and I'm not ashamed of it, and I don't care 
who knows it. [Throwing her arms round Helen's 
neck.'] Nell, I'm so happy. 

Helen. 
Why? 

80 



THE MASOUERADERS 



ACT II 



DUL. 

He's coming, he's coming. Brice sajs we are utterly 
ruined. We're ruined, but I won't feel it to-night. 
I'll feel it to-morrow. I'll be happy for one minute 
to-night. He is coming. 

Helen. 
Mr. Kemon? 

DuL. 
Yes. Don't look shocked, Nell. Listen ; this is true. 
Mr. Remon and I have never said one word to each 
other that all the world might not have heard. 
[Pause.} I'm glad all the world hasn't heard it 
though. 

[Thomson comes in, announces Me. Remon.] 

DuL. 

[To Helen.] Go and fetch Rosy. Yes! Yes! 

[Exit Helen. David has entered; Servant has gone 

[To David.] I'm so glad you've come. I want you 
to see Rosy. She's awake. You've never seen her. 
[All this very excited.} 

David. 
I shall be very pleased. [Looking ai her.} 

DuL. 
You're thinking about me. 

David. 
I was thinking that a mother is the most beautiful 



thing on earth. 



DuL. 



Oh, you don't know! You can't imagine! She's 
over two years old, and I haven't got over remember- 
ing that she's mine. Every time I think of her I 
feel a little catch here in the very middle of my heart, 
a delicious little stab, as if some angel came behind 
6 8i 



1 After Thom- 
son has gone, 
chandelier 
off L,. is turn- 
ed out and 
ivith it the 
lime light. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



There! You may 



[Hugging the hahy. 



me and whispered to me, " God has made you a 
present of ten hundred thousand million pounds all 
your own." Oh, she makes up to me for everything. 

[David is approaching her with great tenderness 
lohen Helen enters with Rosy, the two-year-old 
hahy, in her arms in nightclothes.~\ 

DUL. 

[Rushes to Helen.] There! 
look at her! 

Helen. 
Hush ! She's asleep ! 

DuL. 

I must kiss her if it "kills her ! 
kisses her, lifts the nightgown, hisses the baby's feet, 
croons over it — points her finger mockingly at Remon 
in childlike mockery and laughter. ~\ There! There! 
There, Mr. Philosopher from Andromeda! You 
can't say a mother's love isn't real ! 

David. 

I never did. It's the one thing that shows what a 
sham the rest of the world is. That little star in 
Andromeda is crowded with mothers. They've all 
been there once in their lives. 

[Bends over the baby for a moment.'] 

DuL. 

[Exited, feverish.] Nell, Mr. Remon has an odd 
notion that this world isn't real. 

Helen. 

The cure for that is to earn half-a-crown a day and 
live on it. 

David. 

Oh yes, I know. Work is real. 

[Bends over the baby.] 
DuL. 
[To David.] What are you looking at ? [Scrutinises 

82 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT U 



Yes — yes. I never use the word " honour " about my 
conduct, because every scamp has used it until it's 
the most counterfeit word in the language. But I've 

83 



' Sits on sofa 



him carefully; then suddenly, with savage earnest- 
ness, half despair, half entreaty.^ She's like me? 
She's like me!! \_crescendo, tigerish, frenzied.^ Say 
she's like me!!! 

David. 

[Very quietly.'] She is like you. {^Kisses the child 
reverently.'] She is wholly like you! 

DUL. 

[Stands absorhed, very quietly.] Take her back 
again to the nursery, JSTell.^ 

Helen. 
Good-night, Mr. Remon. 

David. 
Good-night. \_Goes towards the door with her.] 

Helen. 

[To David, smiling.] I've just remembered some- 
thing else that is real. 

David. 
What's that? 

Helen. 
Duty. 

[Exit with hahy. A summer sunrise shines pinlc 
through the conservatory, and lights up the room 
with summer morning light. David returns to 
DuLciE, who sits absorbed.^] 

David.^ 

Lady Skene, I asked to see you because — it is neces- 
sary for me to leave England very soon. 

DUL. 

1^0 — no ! 

David. 



* Limes on bal- 
cony slowly 
charge from, 
blue to 
yellow. 

• Coming dovm 
to back of 
sofa. 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



just learned that if I stay in England I shall injure 
very deeply a friend of mine, so naturally I'm going 
away. 

DUL. 

But — tell me — [Pause.l — what 

David. 

If I stay I cannot continue an honest man. Will you 
let it rest there ? 

DuL. 

If you wish 

David. 



* Sits R. of her. 
Call Sir 
Brice. 



[After a little pause,^ with some emharrassment.'] 
1 have just heard — I scarcely know how to mention 
it — that you may be placed in a position of some 
difficulty. 

DUL. 

You mean that Sir Brice is ruined. In one way it's 
a relief, because at any rate it will break up this life, 
and I'm so tired of it. 

David. 

Yet you thought you would like it on that night of 
the Hunt Ball. 

DuL. 
Yes. I longed for it. Is life like that all through? 

David. 

Like what ? 

DuL. 

To long for a thing very much and to find it worth- 
,less, and then to long for something else much more — 
to be sure that this is worth having — to get it, and 
then to find that that is worthless too. And so on, 
and so on, and so on ? 

David. 

I'm afraid life is very much like that on this par- 
ticular planet. 

84 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



DUL. 

Oh, but that would be awful if I found out that- 
[Stops.^ 

David. 



DuL. 

You remember that night of the Hunt 



What? 

l^othing. 
Ball? 

David. 

[Nods.l It was the last time I saw my friend George 
Copeland. He died in Alaska six mouths after. 

DuL. 

And you went away for over a year. 

David. 

'No — only for a few weeks. After Copeland's funeral 
I went to the Mediterranean to choose a site for my 
observatory, and I was back in England within less 
than three months. 

DuL. 

But we never saw you till last season. Where were 
you ? 

David. 

When you were in the country, I was there; when 
you were in town I was in town too. I have never 
been far away from you. I have kept an account of 
every time I have seen you for the last three years. 

DuL. 
[Loolcs at him as if suddenly struck with a thought.^ 
Tell me — where were you two years ago last March ? 

David. 
At Gerard's Heath — near you. 

DuL. 
[Suddenly.'] Did you — the night Rosy was — I mean 
the night of the second — it was a dreadful snow- 
storm 

85 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Rises, goes to 
door R. 



• Goes down R. 
of sofa. 



» Sits on sofa. 



I remember. 



David. 



DUL. 



One of my nurses said slie saw some one in tlie garden. 
ILoohs at him.^ 

David. 

It was I. Your life was in danger. I passed those 
two nights outside your window. 

[DuLciE, ivith great affection, involuntarily puts her 
hand on his arm. He raises her hand and is about 
to Jciss it. Helen re-enters. David rises.^ 

Helen. 

Sir Brice has just come back and is in the smoking- 
room downstairs. 

DuL. 

[Turning. 1 Look! It's morning.^ 

David. 
Good-bye. 

DuL. 
ISuddenly-l No — I must have another word with 
you. Wait here a moment. Here is Sir Brice. ISTell, 
take Mr. Kemon on to the balcony for a minute or 
two and wait there with him till Sir Brice has gone 
upstairs. 

[Exeunt David and Helen through conservatory 
and on to balcony.^ 

[SiE Brice enters, looTcing a little flushed and dissi- 
pated.^l 
Sir Brice. 
[Staring at Dulcie ; after a pause. 1 Well ? 

Dtjl. 
Well? 

Sir Brice. 

[Drops into a chair; whistles.'] Got rid of your 
friends ? ^ 

86 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT II 



* Rises and goes 
round sofa l. 



DUL. 

All except Mr. Eemon. He's on the balcony with 
Nell. 

Sir Beige. 

Oh! \^Pause. Whistles; takes some change out of 
his pocket — three shillings and threepence; places 
the coins very carefully and elaborately in a longi- 
tudinal position on the palm of his left hand, arrang- 
ing the three shillings and the three pennies in a line, 
ivhistling carelessly.'] That's our net fortune, my girl. 
[Holding them up under her face.] That is our 
precise capital — three shillings and threepence. 
[Whistles.] I^ot another farthing. And some thou- 
sand pounds' worth of debts. •*■ 

DuL. 
[Unconcerned.] Indeed. 

Sir Brice. 

[With a sudden little hurst of brutality — not too 
marked.] Look here! can't you get some money ? 

DuL. 
What do you mean? 

Sir Brice. 

Get some money ! That's plain English, isn't it ? 

DuL. 
I don't understand you. 

Sir Brice. 

This fellow Remon is devilish fond of you. Can't 
you get some money from him ? 

DuL. 

Hush ! Borrow money from him ! 

Sir Brice. 

[Suggestively.] You needn't borrow. [Dulcie 
looks at him inquiringly.] iTsTow can't you get some? 

[Dulcie looks at him for a moment; she raises her 

87 



ACT II 



THE MASQUERADERS 



fan to strike him; sees David, who has entered from 
conservatory. Helen stands at conservatory 
door.^ 

David. 



* Comes c. 



' Helen comes 
doion R. c. 



Crosses l. 



Lady Skene, ^ I have been obliged to overhear what 
has just been said. To-morrow morning I leave for 
the South of France, and I shall be quite inaccessible 
for some years. My bankers will have orders to send 
you a cheque-book and to honour your signature to 
any extent that you are likely to require. [Dulcie 
makes a protest. 1 If you please — if you please. As 
I shall be away from England there cannot be the 
least slur upon you in accepting it. Miss Larondie, 
you will be with your sister, always.^ She will be in 
your care — always. [Shakes hands with Helen.] 
Be very kind to her. Never leave her. Good-bye.^ 

DUL. 

But I — cannot — take 



David. 

[Silencing her.l If you please — It is my last 
request. Good-bye. 

[Sib Bkice, who has heen sitting all the while, 
listening, rises.l 

David. 

[Looks at him for just half a moment; looks at 
Dulcie.] Good-bye. [Exit, l.] 

[Nine months 2^ciss between Acts II. and III.'\ 



88 



2 






t/3 



C 



W CO 




i 



ACT III. 



Scene. — Private sitting-room at the Hotel Prince 
De Galles, Nice. 

A rather handsome modern room furnished in 
French hotel fashion, Tivo long windows, right, 
curtained. Door at bach. Door left. Small card 
table down stage, left, with several packs of cards 
loosely on it. The whole floor round the table 
strewn with cards. Discover Sir Brice in evening 
dress seated left of table, aimlessly and mechani- 
cally playing with the cards. After a few seconds 
DuLCiE, in dinner dress, enters from door at bach, 
crosses to the ivindoiu and stands loohing out, hav- 
ing taken no notice of Sir Brice. As she enters he 
leaves off playing with the cards for a moment, 
looks at her. 

Sir Brice. 

[In rather a commanding tone, a little brutal.^ 
Come here.* 

[DuLCiE takes no notice. A little pause.^ 

Sir Brice. 

[Louder. ~\ D'ye hear ? Come here. 

[DuLciE comes down to him, does not speak. He 
looks up at her. Her face is quite blank, loohing 
indifferently in front of her.'] 

Sir Brice. 

[Begitis playing ivith cards again.'] I've lost over 
BIX hundred pounds. [Dulcie takes no notice.] 

89 



Call. Ihdcie, 
Sir Brice, 
Servant 
(salver and 
letter). 



* Music to take 
up curtain. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Sir Brice. 

[Dashes the pacJc of cards under his feet, stamps on 
themS\ Damn and damn the cards ! 

[DuLciE talces no notice. Slight pause.'] 

Sir Brice. 

[Roars out.] The hotel people have sent up their 
bill again with a request for payment. 

[Slight pause. Dulcie goes hacTc to the window, 
stands there looking out. Pause.] 

Sir Brice. 

[Roars out furiously.] Why the devil don't you 
get something for that deafness of yours ! [Suddenly 
jumps up, goes up to her, seizes her hands, turns her 
round.] 'Now look here 

Hotel Servant enters, left, with letter on tray. Sir 
Brice desists. The Hotel Servant brings the letter 
to DuLciE, who crosses and talces it. Exit Servant. 
Dulcie opens letter, reads it.^ 

Sir Brice. 

Well? [Djji.cm rings hell] Well? 
[Servant enters l.] 

DUL. 

[In cold equable tone, to Sir Brice.] Mr. Edward 
Remon wishes to see me. He asks me to excuse his 
being in fancy dress. He's going to the Opera Ball. 
Shall I see him here or in the hall? 



* Crosses to 
fireplace. 



Here. 



Sir Brice. 



DuL. 



[To Servant. "i Show Mr. Remon here. 

[Exit Servant, l.] 
90 



THE MASOUERADERS 



ACT II T 



Sir Brice. 

[To DuLCiE.] Where's his brother, the astronomer? 

DUL. 

At his observatory, I suppose. I've not seen him 



since the night we began to live upon him.^ 

[Hotel Servant opens door l,., announces Mr. Ed- 
ward Remon. Eddie enters^ dressed as Pierrot 
for the fancy dress ball. Exit Servant.^'] 

Eddie. 

[All through the Act very excited.'] How d'ye do? 
[To Dulcie; shakes hands with her. To Sir 
Brice.] How d'ye do? 

Sir Brice. 

How d'ye do ? ^ 

[Looks meaningly at Dulcie and exit left.] 

Eddie. 

So good of you to excuse this dress.* * 

DuL. 
Your brother? 

Eddie. 

He's down in the town with me to-night. We've been 
dining at the Cafe de Paris. I've taken three glasses 
of champagne — anything more than a spoonful makes 
me tipsy, and so, with that and this dress, and our 
journey to Africa, I'm quite mad to-night. 

DuL. 

Africa ! 

Eddie. 

We start earlv to-morrow morning to the deadliest 
place on the West Coast. 

DuL. 

'Not your brother ? 

91 



* Cross R. c. 



' Sir Brice 
moves up to 
fire. 



* Crossing back 
of table to 
doivn L. 

* Sits sofa R. 



» Call Mon- 
tagu. 



ACT ni 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Eddie. 

Yes. We're going to watch the transit of Venus, and 
as there was a jolly lot of fever there all the other 
astronomers rather funked it. So Davy has fitted 
out an expedition himself. [Dulcie slioivs great 
concern. Eddie rattles on.~\ I'm going to have a 
spree to-night. I've never been drunk in my life, 
and I thought I should like to try what it's like — 
because — [tossing up a coin'] it's heads we come back 
alive and prove Davy's theory about sun-spots — and 
it's tails we leave our bones and all our apparatus 
out there. It's tails — we're as dead as door-nails. 
l^Sees Dulcie's pained face.'] Lady Skene — I'm so 
sorry 

DUL. 



We've been three weeks in Nice, 
brother come to see me ? 



Why hasn't your 



* Edjie kneels 
beside her 
and puts cap 
on R. c. chair. 



* Picks up cap. 



• Runs over to 
h. c, theji 
round table 
to back of 
sofa E. 



Eddie. 

A mistaken sense of duty.^ Davy has the oddest 
notions about duty. He thinks one ought to do it 
when it's unpleasant. So do I when I'm in my right 
clothes, and my right senses, but now I'm half tipsy, 
and have got a fool's cap on, ^ I can see quite plainly 
that duty's all moonshine. Duty is doing exactly 
what one likes, and it's Davy's duty to come to you. 
And the fool is just breaking his heart for a sight 
of you.^ Shall I find him and bring him ? 



Where is he? 



DuL. 
Eddie. 



He's in the town getting everything ready for to- 
morrow. Shall I find him ? 



DuL. 



[LooTcing at her umtcli.] 
be alone in half an hour. 



Quarter to eleven. I may 
Yes, bring him to me here. 



c\2 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



• Runs across 
and opens 
door L. 



' Moves R. 

* Call. Lady 
Clarice- 
Charley. 



Eddie. 
Hurrah! — Au revoir.^ 

[Sir Brice appears at the same door, loohs after 
Eddie, who exits, saying " Adieu." Sir Brice 
shuts door, enters.~\ 

Sir Brice. 

[ToDuLCiE.] Well? 

[DuLCiE does not reply, goes to her room at hack. Sir 
Brice follows her, the door is closed in his face 
and a lock is heard to turn. Sir Brice shakes the 
door handle, kicks the door, looks vicious and 
spiteful, comes down a step or two, kicks a 
hassock.^^ 

{^Servant enters, j.., announcing Mr. Lushington. 
Enter Monty. Sir Brice nods.~\ 

MoN. 

Well, dear chum! {^Looking round at the cards on 
the floor.'] Did you give Fancourt his revenge? 

Sir Brice. 
Damn the cards. 

MoN. 

By all means. How's Lady Skene ? 

Sir Brice. 

\Mutters.'] — mn Lady Skene. 

MoN. 
By all means. 

Sir Brice. 

You're married, Lushington ' 

MoN. 
I am three months a bridegroom. 

Sir Brice. 
Why the devil did you get married ? 

93 



• Moves to hhn. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



MON. 

Because I ascertained that my wife would have seven 
thousand a year. Why did you? 

Sir Bkice. 

Because I was a silly fool. 

MoN. 

Well, there couldn't be two better reasons for getting 
married. 

Sir Brice. 

[Furious with his cards.^ — mn everything and 
everybody. -"^ 

MoN. 



» Sits. 



*Sits L. of 
table. 



By all means. And now we've reached finality and 
are utterly the sport of destiny, will you do me a good 
turn ? ^ 

Sir Brice. 
What ? 

MoN. 

I'm going to take a lady to the Opera Ball, and I 
fear Lady Clarice will be dull, or I should say restless, 
in my absence. I know you will be going to the 
Cercle d'Amerique to wreck your farthing chance 
of eternity at poker. 

Sir Brice. 
Well? 

MoN. 

It would momentarily reinstate your celestial hopes 
if you would tell Lady Skene that I'm going to the 
club with you, and persuade her to spend the lonely 
hours of her widowhood with Lady Clarice in number 
one-four-three. They will doubtless tear our charac- 
ters to rags, but that will keep them from the worse 
mischief of interfering with us. 

Sir Brice. 

Will you do me a good turn ? 

94 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



Rising and 
crossing R. 



MON. 

Anything in my power. 

Sir Brice. 

Lend me a couple of hundred pounds. 

MoN. 

My dear Bricey. If my I. O. U., or my name, or 
my presence, is good for anything at the Cercle 
d'Amerique, you're welcome to it. 

Sir Brice, 

Will you come with me and set me afloat for a quarter 
of an hour? 

MoN. 
Certainly.^ 

Sir Brice. 

I'll ask Lady Skene. [Goes up to the door at hack, 
raps.'] Are you there ? [A little louder.] Are you 
there ? 

MoN. 

Throw in a " my dear," Bricey, or some such trifle. 
Its effect will be in proportion to its scarcity. 

Sir Brice. 

My dear [Rapping still.] Mr. Lushington has called. 
[Rapping.] Do you hear, my love? [With a grim 
sneer on the last word. The door is a little opened.] 
[Sir Brice forces his way in.] Lady Clarice wants 
to know if you will go and sit with her while 

[The remainder of sentence is lost hy the closing of 
door after him.] 

[Lady Clarice enters door, left,^ with opera cloak.] 

MoN. 

[Showing surprise, which he instantly checks.] 
Where so gay and free, my love ? 

95 



* Leaves door 
open. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Clar. 

[^Looking him straight in the face very determinedly. ~\ 
To the Opera Ball. 

MoN. 
Oh. 

Clar. 

You're going to take that woman. 

MoN. 
I know many ladies, but no women. 

Char. 

[^Her voice heard outside.'] Yes. See if Mr. 
Lushington is there, and say a lady is waiting for 
him in the hall — oh, he's in there ; I'll go in. 

[Monty is going. Lady Clarice makes a little 
movement to intercept him.] 

MoN. 

[In a low voice.] Don't be foolish. 

Char. 

[Her voice at door, outside.] Aren't you nearly 
ready, Monty? [Appears at door, sees Lady 
Clarice takes in the situation at a glance, has a 
slight shock, hut instantly recovers herself. Runs to 
Lady Clarice brimming with affection.] Darling, 
are you going too ? So pleased ! So charmed ! How 
sweet of you! [Offers to kiss Lady Clarice.] 

Clar. 

* Crosses n. [Indignantly.] How dare you !^ 

MoN. 

[Stepping heiween them.] Hush! [To Clarice.] 
What's the use of having a row here, or anywhere? 
For H*eaven's sake, do be a good sensible girl, and 
don't shatter the happiness of our married life before 
— before we know where we are. Charley and I are 
going to the Opera Ball, will you come with us ? 

96 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT in 



Clab. 



llndignan t. ] What I 



MoN. 



Or go by yourself. Or go with any one you please. 
Or go anywhere or do anything in the world you like. 
Only don't make a scene here. 



My father shall know. 



Clae. 



MON. 



Very well. Very well. We'll discuss that by and 
by. But do recognise once and for all the futility of 
rows. You'd better come with us. 



[^Enter Sir Brice c] 



Come with you ? ^ 



Clar. 



Char. 



{^Begins.'] My dear Clarice, I assure you 

MoN. 

\_8tops Charley with a warning looh.'\ "For 
Heaven's sake, Clarice, whatever we do, do not let 
us make ourselves ridiculous. [Monty snatches up 
Lady Clarice's arm. She reluctantly allows him to 
do so.*'\ All right, Bricey. Sorry I can't come 
with you to the club — but I've persuaded Lady 
Clarice and Lady Shalford to come to the Opera Ball 
with me. Bye, bye, dear crony, our love to Lady 
Skene. Hope you will have as pleasant an evening 
as we shall — Ta ! Ta ! 

[Exit ^ with great animation. Lady Clarice holding 
reluctantly and aloof on one arm, Charley more 
affectionate on the other. Sir Brice goes to 
Dulcie's door, throws it wide open, stands bach, 
calls.^ 
7 97 



' Sir Brice goea 
down B. 



♦ Call. Helen. 



* Exit door l. 
Sir Brice fol- 
lows them — 
Shuts door 
and goes up 
c. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Dulcie goes 
down R. and 
sits on sofa. 



• Sits B. of 
tcii)le. 



* Crosses R. sits 
on sofa. 



Sib Brice. 

Now, will you. let us understand each other once for 
all? 

[Dulcie enters, looks at him without speahing.^^ 
Sib Bbice. 

I want some money. This fellow Remon has offered 
you his purse to any extent. Get a few hundreds for 
me to go on with. 

DUL. 

No. 

SiE Bbice. 

You won't? Then why did you hegin to take his 
money ? ^ 

DuL. 

Because I was weak, because you bullied me, and 
because I knew I was welcome.^ 

SiB Bbice. 

Very good. The same reasons continue. You're 
weak, I'm a bully, and you're welcome. Aren't you 
welcome, eh ? Aren't you welcome ? 

DUL. 

I believe I am welcome to every penny he has in the 
world. 

SiE Bbice. 
He loves you? 

Dtjl. 
Yes. 

Sib Bbice. 
And you love him ? 

DuL. 

[Loolnng straight at Sib Bbice very fearlessly and 
calmly.^ With all my heart. 

Sir Brice. 

And you aren't ashamed to tell me ? 

98 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



* Call Blanch- 
flower. 



DUL. 

Is there anything in your past life that you have 
taken the trouble to hide from me ? * Have you ever 
ojjenly or secretly had an attachment to any living 
creature that does you as much credit and so little 
shame as my love for David Remon does to me ? 

Sir Brice. 

All right. Go on loving him. You needn't hesitate. 
He expects a fair exchange — if he hasn't already got 
it. 

DUL. 

[Very calmly.'] That's a lie, and you know it is. 
Sir Brice. 

Very "well. It's a lie. I don't care one way or the 
other. Get me some money. 

DuL. 



You have had the last farthing that you will ever 
touch of David Remon's money. 

Sir Brice. 

All right. {^Jumps up very determinedly .^^ Then 
you've seen the last you will see of your child for 
some years to come.^ 

DuL. 



\^Aroused.'\ 
child! 2 



What! you will hit me through my 
Sir Brice. 



I think my child's health requires a change for a few 
years — a different climate from you and myself.^ 
We will go upon a little tour by ourselves, shall we ? 
to — where the devil shall we go ? I don't care. I 
shall send Eosy away to-morrow morning. D'ye 
hear.^ 

DuL. 
I hear. 

99 



' Moves L. 



* Rises. 



' Returns to 
her. 



* Crosses to 
door L. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Ooes down R. 
of table and 
sits. 



• Moves down 
R. of her. 



Sir Brice. 

If I don't see you again to-night, get her ready by 
to-morrow morning. lExit l.] 

DUL. 

[Stands for a moment or two quiet, then hursts into 
a fit of ironic laughter.^ Nell! [Goes to the door 
at bach, calls out.^ Kell ! Nell ! Come here ! ^ 

[Helen enters c] 

Helen. 
What's the matter ? 2 

DuL. 

Nell, old girl, have you got such a thing as a Church 
Service about you ? 

Helen. 
Church Service? 

DuL. 

I want you to tell me the end and meaning of 
marriage. There's something about it in the Church 
Service, isn't there? I did go through it once, I 
know, but I've forgotten what it's all about. What 
does it mean? 

Helen. 



' Sitting on 
sofa. 



Marriage ? 

Yes. Oh, I know ! 

Games ? •'• 



DuL. 
It's one of Mr. Remon's games. 
Helen. 

DuL. 

Yes. He says men and women are playing a lot of 
queer games on earth that they call religion, love, 
politics, and this and that and the other — marriage 
must be one, and it's the funniest of them all! It's 
a two-handed game like — like cribbage, or tossing up. 
You choose your partner — head's he's a good 'un, 
then you're in clover; tails he's a bad 'un, then, it's 
purgatory and inferno for you for the rest of your 

100 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



life, unless you're a man. It's all right if you're 
a man. The same game as before, choose your 
partner — heads she's a good 'un, then you're in clover ; 
tails she's a bad 'un, then you cut her, and toss up 
again and again, until you do get a good 'un. That's 
the game — that's the game — and it's a splendid game 
for a man. 

[Blanchflowee, in evening dress, pops in l.] 
Elan. 
How d'ye do, Lady Skene ? Am I in the way, eh ? 

DUL. 

Enter! Enter! Enter! You're just in time. 
Help us solve this mighty question. 

Blan. 

Something important, eh ? ^ 

DuL. 

ISTo, only marriage. 

What about it ? 

DuL. 

Well — what about it? Give us your opinion. 
There's something mystical about it, isn't there? 
ISTell, where's that Church Service? Something 
mystical ? 

Blan. 

Well, yes; and — hum? eh? [happy thoughf] — some- 
thing ideal 

DuL. 

Mystical and ideal. Go on, !N"ell. 

Helen. 
I'd rather not. I don't like to hear you mocking at 
marriage. 

DuL. 
[Laughlng.'l Mocking at marriage! Oh, my God! 
is it women who have married bad men that mock at 

lOI 



Blan. 



1 Sits L. of 
table. 

* Call. David, 
Eddie, Ser- 
vant, 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



marriage Make haste, make haste ! \_Dasliing her 
hands on the chair. '\ Marriage is a mystical, ideal 
state — isn't there something in the Service about 
physical ? Go on, Nell, go on — help us out. Go on ! 
What have we left out? 



The wife's duty. 



Helen. 



DUL. 



Yat. Yah. Yah. 

[This is very quiet and calm, with a pause between 
each Yah, very different from the excited Yah! 
Yah! Yah! Yah! of the second Act.l 

Helen. 

To her husband to keep her vows. To herself to 
keep herself pure and stainless, because it is her 
glory, as it is a man's glory to be brave and honest. 

DuL. 

[Same position, same tone-l Yah. Yah. Yah. 

Helen. 

And to society, to her nation, because no nation has 
ever survived whose women have been immoral. 

Dul. 

[Suddenly springing up, sitting up upright in the 
chair.'} And the men ? 

Helen. 
I don't know whether it's a man's duty to be moral. 
I'm sure it's a woman's. 

Dul. 

Oh, then marriage is a moral state, eh — at least for 
women, eh, Mr. Blanchflower ? 

Blan. 

[Who has shoivn symptoms of great discomfort 
through the interview.'] Ye — es — decidedly mar- 
riage is — or — a — should be a moral state. 
1 02 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



DUL. 

[Jumping up vigorously. ~\ Ah, now we've got it! 
Now we can go ahead! Marriage is a physical, 
mystical, ideal, moral game. Oh, I hate these words, 
moral, ideah^ How if it isn't ideal? Suppose it's 
horribly, horribly real ! How if it isn't moral ? 
Suppose it's horribly, horribly immoral! Moral! 
Moral ! ! Moral ! ! ! Is there anything under God's 
sun so immoral, ah — ^guess it — guess it — to be married 
to a man one hates! And you go on plastering it 
and poulticing it and sugaring it over with " moral " 
and " ideal " and respectable," and all those words 
that men use to cheat themselves with. It isn't 
moral to be married to a man one hates! It isn't 
ideal ! It isn't mystical ! It's hateful ! It's martyr- 
dom ! \_A long pause.^l 

Blan. 

[Calm, with a real touch of feeling.'] My dear Lady 
Skene, I won't pretend to offer you advice 

DuL. 

[Has recovered from her outburst, now spealcs in 
a very calm, indifferent, matter-of-fact tone.] It 
doesn't matter. You're going to the ball ? ^ 

Blan. 

I was going — but if I can help you in any way 

[Struck with the idea.] My uncle, Canon Butter- 
field, is here for the winter. He suffers from liver, 
and has written a book on Socinianism. If you want 
any spiritual advice, I'm sure you couldn't do better. 

DuL. 

What is Socinianism ? Is it anything to do with 
marriage ? 

Blan. 

Well — ah — no. Shall I send him? 

103 s 



' Moves up to 
chair, front 
of fire. 



* Helen rises 
and goes to 
window. 



• Returns to c. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



DUL. 

No, I won't trouble you. I'll think this out for 
myself. 

Blan. 

Well, if you ever do need a clergyman, don't forget 
my uncle. You can't do better. Or if at any time 
I can be of any use 

DuL. 

Thank you. Good-night. 

Blaij. 



IShalcing hands very sympathetically. '\ 



Good-bye. 
lExit. L.] 
DuL. 

ISuddenly-l Nell! [Helen comes to her.'] Take 
Bosy up at once, dress her, get out of the hotel by 
the servants' way so that you don't meet Sir Briee 
— ^take her over to Beaulieu to the Hotel des Anglais, 
and wait there till to-morrow morning. I'll send you 
a message what to do. 

Servant enters, announces Mb. Remon — Mr. Edward 
Bemon. Enter David and Eddie, still t?i 
Pierrot's dress. Helen shows some surprise. 

[Exit Servant.] 
DuL. 

Quick, Nell, do as I tell you. 

Helen. 

[Looking at David and Eddie.] Promise me 

DuL. 

What? 

Helen. 

You'll take no step till you've seen me. 

DuL. 

I promise. Make haste. Come here and tell me 
when Bosy's ready. 

104 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



Helen. 

IComes to David, shakes hands with him.^ You 
heard her promise. 

David. 



She shall keep it. 



[Exit Helen at hach.'] 



Eddie. 



I've brought him, Lady Skene. I'm off to the ball. 
I'm not so tipsy now as I was, but I'm going to have 
my fling. It's my only chance of going to the devil. 
Davy, where shall I meet you ? ^ 

David. 

I'll come to the Opera House for you. Wait for me 
there. 

Eddie. 

Come as soon as you can, won't you ? You come too, 
Lady Skene. You can't think how jolly it is to have 
no duty and no conscience and no faith and no future, 
no anything but pleasure and life ! Do come ! Let's 
all be fools for once in our lives ! Let's be monkeys 
again ! Come on ! Come on ! 

\_Exit, L. As soon as he has gone, David and Dul- 
ciE, who have been standing on opposite sides 
of the room, go to each other very calmly. They 
meet in the middle of the room, tahe each other's 
hands. He raises hers to his lips. David's 
appearance has changed since the last Act; he is 
more worn and spiritual, a little greyer, very calm 
at first, an unearthly look in his face. They stand 
looking at each other for some moments.'] 

DUL. 

You're changed ! You're not well ! 
David. 
So well, I feel no ill can ever happen to 



Quite well, 
me. 



» Goes to door 

L. 



105 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



DUL. 

Why did you not come to me before ? 

David. 

I'd been able to do you a service. I didn't wish you 
to think that I had any claim on you. 

DUL. 

Ah, you shouldn't misunderstand me. I could never 
misunderstand you like that. I've taken your money. 
I knew I was welcome, because — if I were rich and 
you were poor, I would give you all I had. 

David. 

Ah ! Take all I have ! 

DuL. 



• Moves R. to 
sofa. David 
follows her. 
Dulcie sits. 



Not another farthing. 



Why not? 



David. 



DuL. 



I would be proud to owe all my happiness, all my 
comfort to you. I have been proud these last six 
months to think that my child's very bread came from 
you. 

David. 

Ah! {^Coming nearer to 'her.~\ 

DuL. 

I would only have taken just sufficient for necessaries 
— but he forced me. I was weak. Now the end has 
come. I won't waste any more of your money in this 
{^pointing to the cards] and racing, and — I don't 
know what.^ 

David. 
Tell it all. 

DuL. 

Things can't go on as they are. [Smiling.'] Do you 
remember the Scotchman who lost his mother-in-law 

io6 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



and his aunt and three cousins, all in one epidemic ? 
He said it was " just reedeeclous." Things are " just 
reedeeclous " with me. [^Laughing.^ Sir Brice has 
threatened to take Kosy away from me. 



Ko!i 



David. 

DUL. 



Yes! I'm sending Nell to Beaulieu with her to- 
night. I don't know what will happen. I don't 
think I care much. It doesn't matter. Nothing 
matters. [Smiling. Then with sudden alarm.^ 
Yes — this journey of yours to Africa. Must you go ? 

David. 

I must. I've been waiting for years for this chance. 
If I succeed, it will crown all my life's work. 

DuL. 
But it's dangerous. 

David. 

I take a doctor and drugs. Besides, I bear a charmed 
life.* 

DuL. 

But this fever, — Eddie says it is deadly. 

David. 

[With great calmness, loohing away.'] It will pass 
me. But if it kills me I must go. 

DuL. 
No, no, no. 

David. 

Yes, yes, yes. I'm pledged. All my world, the 
little world that takes an interest in me, is watching 
me. There's the hope of a great prize. It's my one 
chance of snatching the poor little laurel-wreath that 
we mortals call immortality. 

107 



> Sits R. a 



• Call Sir 
Brice. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



DUL. 

But can't you go some other time ? 

David. 

I must be at my post, especially as it is a little danger- 
ous, — that makes it the post of honour. I've delayed 
everything till the last moment that I might be near 
you till the very end. 

DuL. 



* Rises— Goes 
L, c. Dulcie 
rises. 



The end! 
you again. 



Then this is the end? I shall never see 



Yes. When I return. 



David. 

DuL. 

\_8hahing her head.'] You will not return. {^LooTc- 
ing at him very keenly and closely.] Tell me, in 
your heart of hearts do you not know that you will 
never come back ? 

[David is about to speak.'] 
DuL. 
Ah no — tell me the truth! 

David. 
[Slowly and fatefully.] I wonder how it is that 
when one has carefully weeded out all the old 
superstitions from one's mind, a crop of new super- 
stitions springs up more foolish than the old ones. 
I've lived up there so long I've grown morbid. I've 
an attack of the silliest form of superstition — a 
presentiment. 

Dtjl. 
Ah, I knew it! 

David. 



In six months I shall laugh at it.^ 
it together. 

DuL. 



We will laugh at 



[Determinedly.] 



You shall not go ! 
1 08 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



* Returns c. 



DaVIDo 

I must. I'm working with my comrades all over 
the world. I've undertaken this part of the work. 
If I don't carry it out I break faith with them and 
spoil their work too.^ All the good fellows who are 
going with me and sharing in my dangers are waiting 
for me at Marseilles. I can't leave them in the lurch 
— I can't — ^you would not have me do it ! Say you 
wouldn't have me stamp myself a coward, a deserter. 

DUL. 



^0, nOo But I don't want you to go. 
him.^ If I asked you to stay 

David. 



[Approaching 



You will not — [Going towards her.l You will not 
[a little nearerl ask me to stay. [She looks at him 
— gradually they go closer to each other, and his 
manner changes from a calm, dreamy, fateful tone to a 
fierce, hoarse, passionate tone.'] Do you know what 
it means if I stay ? Dulcie ! 

DuL. 

You never called me that before. 

David. 
[Clasping her.'] I've never been so near to you. 
Dulcie! [With sudden, mad abandonment, clasp- 
ing her passionately.] Yes, I'll stay! I'll stay! 
Tell me to stay because — because — you love me. 

DuL. 
Stay — because — ah, you know I love you! 

David. 
Eddie's right. Let's be fools to-night! Let's live 
to-night ! I'm hungry for you ! Dulcie, tell me once 
again that you love me. 

DuL. 
"No — no. Forget it. What have I said? What 
shall we do ? 

109 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



David. 

I don't know. What does it matter ? We will go to 
this hall — anything — anywhere ! Our lives are in 
our own hands. Come with me. 

Sir Brice enters l. He shuts the door, stands 
against it, his feet a little sprawling, his hands in 
his pockets, looking at them maliciously. Long 
pause. Helen enters at the other door. Another 
pav^e. She heckons Dulcie. 

Helen. 

Dulcie! [Indicates the inside room. Dulcie goes 
up to her.~\ 

[Exit Helen, c. Dulcie at the door looks at the 
two men. Exit Dulcie. The two men are left 
alone. Another slight pause. Sir Brice walks 
very deliberately up to David. The two men stand 
close to each other for a moment or two.'\ 

Sir Brice, 

You've come to settle your little account, I suppose ? 

David. 
I owe you nothing. 

Sir Brice. 

But I owe you six thousand pounds. I haven't a 
penny in the world. I'll cut you for it, double or 
quits. 

David. 
I don't play cards. 

Sir Brice. 
You'd better begin. 

[Rapping on the table with the cards.'] 
David. 
[Very firmly. 1 I don't play cards with you. 

Sir Brice. 
And I say you shall. 

no 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



David. 

[Very stern and contemptuous.^ I don't play cards 
with you. 

\_Going toivards door.^ 



You refuse ? ^ 
I refuse. 



Sir Brice. 
David. 



Sir Brice. 

Once for all, will you give me a chance of paying 
back the six thousand pounds that Lady Skene has 
borrowed from you ? Yes or no ? 

David. 
N'o. 

Sir Brice. 
:tTo? 

David. 

[Very emphatically. ~\ No. [Goes to door, suddenly 
turns round, comes up to /iim.] Yes. [Comes to 
the tahle.~\ I do play cards with you. You want my 
money. Very well. I'll give you a chance of winning 
all I have in the world. 

Sir Brice. 

[After a looJc of astonishment. "1 Good. I'm your 
man. Any game you like, and any stakes. 

David. 

[Very calm, cold, intense tone all through.'] The 
stakes on my side are some two hundred thousand 
pounds. The stakes on your side are — ^your wife and 
child. 

Sir Brice. 

[Tahen abacl:.'\ My wife and child! 

David. 
Your wife and child. Come — begin ! [Points to the 
cards.'] 

Ill 



' standing e. 
of table. 



' Over table. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Sweeps cards 
from table. 



* Breaks pack. 



Sir Bkice, 

[Getting flurried.'] My wife and child? [Puts his 
hands restlessly through his hair, looks intently at 
David. Pause.] All right. [Pause. Cunningly.] 
I value mj wife and child very highly. 

David. 

I value them at all I have in the world. [Pointing 
to cards.] Begin! ^ 

Sir Brice. 

You seem in a hurry. 

David. 

I believe I haven't six months to live. I want to 
make the most of those six months. If I have more 
I want to make the most of all the years. Begin ! ^ 

Sir Brice. 

[Wipes his face with his handkerchief.] This is the 
first time I've played this game. .We'd better arrange 
conditions. 

David. 

There's only one condition. We play till I'm beg- 
gared of every farthing I have, or till you're beg- 
gared of them. Sit down ! 

Sir Brice. 
[Sits down.] Very well. [Pause.] What game ? ' 

David. 
The shortest. 

Sir Brice. 
Simple cutting? 

David. 

What you please. Begin ! 

Sir Brice. 

There's no hurry. I mean to have a night's fun out 
of this." 



• Breaks pack. 



Shuffles. 



112 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



• Puts cards on 
table. 



David. 
Look at me. Don't trifle with me! I want to have 
done with you. I want them to have done with you. 
I want to get them away from you. Quick ! I want 
to know now — ^now — this very moment — whether they 
are yours or mine. Begin.^ 

SiK Brice. 
[Shuffles the cards.l All right. What do we cut 
for? 

David. 
Let one cut settle it. 

Sir Bkice. 

2To. It's too much to risk on one throw. 

David. 
One cut. Begin. 

Sir Brice. 

It's too big. I can't.'^ I like high play, but that's 
too high for me. [David remains at table, very calm; 
does not stir all through the scene; ^ Sir Brice walk- 
ing ahout.l No, by Jove! I'll tell you what I'll 
do. Three cuts out of five. Damn it all ! I'm game ! 
Two out of three. By Jove, two out of three ! Will 
that do ? 

David. 

So be it ! Sit down ! Shuffle. 

[Sir Brice sits down; begins shuffling the cards. 
All through the scene he is nervous, excited, hysteri- 
cal, laughing. David as cold as a statue^^ 

Sir Brice. 
[Having shuffled.'] IN'ow then. Who cuts first? 
[The two men stare fixedly at each other.] 

[Duxcie enters at bacTc.] 

DUL. 

[Surprised.] Mr. Eemon! No! No! Not that! 
Not that! 

8 113 



* Rises— goes 

dovm L. and 
back. 

* David L. of 

table. Sir 
Brice R. of 
table. 



• David sits h. 
of table. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



David. 

[Coming down, warning her off with a motion of his 
hand.^ If you please. Stand aside for a moment. 
[Offers the cards to Sir Brice to cut.'] 



* Sweeps cards 
from table. 



* Red light- 
Warn cur- 
tain. 



Sir Brice. 



Ace counts lowest. 



David. 
As jou will. Cut. [Sir Brice cuts.] 

Sir Brice. 
King! By Jove! King! Cut! [David cw^s.] 

Sir Brice. 

!Nine ! ^ One to me ! By Jove ! one to me ! [ To 
DuLciE.] Give us up some of those cards, will you ? 

[David hy a gesture stops her; takes up the pack 
that Sir Brice has brohen and shuffles them.] 

Sir Brice. 

Shuffle up. By Jove ! if I win 

DUL. 

Mr. Remon, you'll not play any more ? 

David. 

[Very gently.] Stand aside, please. 

Sir Brice. 

'No. Let her shuffle for us. She's in it, isn't she ? 

Dtjl. 

What do you mean ? Wliat are you playing for ? 

Sir Brice. 

You'd like to know, would you ? What are we play- 
ing for? I'll tell you. We're playing for you and 
your child I * 

114 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT III 



DUL. 

\^Suddenly.~\ What ? IShoivs great horror and as- 
tonishment.^ Mr. Remon ! It's not so ? It's not so ? 
[To David.] What are you playing for ? 

David. 

He has said. For you and your child. If I win, 
will you abide by the bargain ? [ Very long pause — 
she looks from one to the other. 1 

DuL. 
Yes. 

David. 

IPuts cards on iable.~\ Cut. 

[They both shuffle cards.'] 

Sir Brice. 

[Very excited, laughing, nervous.'] You've got to win 
both now. You know that ? 



David. 



I know. 



Sir Brice. 

ICuts.] Ten. Not bad. You've got to beat it. Cut! 

[David cuts.] 

Sir Brice. 

Queen ! One each ! ^ ^Now for the final, d'ye hear ? 

This is final. If I win [Walking about excitedly ; 

pours out a glass of brandy — drinks.] I'll cut first ! 
ISTo ! Damn it all ! you cut first ! [Holding cards. 
David cuts.] Six. [To David, suddenly.] Sup- 
pose I win — you'll pay me ? You mean to pay me ? 

David. 
I shall pay you every farthing. 
Sir Brice. 
What security do you give me ? 

115 



Sweeps cards 
from table. 
David breaks 
another 
pack. fhiiflJes 
and piits 
them on 
table. 



ACT III 



THE MASQUERADERS 



* Sir Brice 
fines, moves 
chair, then 
goes to small 
table R. and 
dri7iks 
brandy. 



David. 

My word in the presence of the woman I love. 

Sir Brice. 

[Walks about.'] Let me be a moment.^ 

David. 
Cut. 

Sir Brice. 

[To DuLciE.] You're anxious, are you? I'm going 
to win ! I mean it! I'm going to win ! [To David.] 
Now! [David holds cards; Sir Brice cuts.~[ My 
God! I've lost !^ 

David. 

[Throws down the card-table ; leaps at him; catches 
hold of him by the throat.'] Yes, you've lost! She's 
mine! [Gets him down on his hnees.] You've 
cheated me of her all these years ! You've cheated me 
of her love, cheated me of the fatherhood of her child, 
you've dragged her down, you've dishonoured her! 
She's my wife now — my wife and child ! Take your 
oath you'll never lay claim to them again ! Swear it ! 

[Shaking him.] 
Sir Brice. 



* Sinks into 
chair. 



She's yours! Take her! I'll never see her or her 
child again ! I swear it ! Take them ! 

David. 

Dare to break your word — dare to lay a finger on her 
or her child — dare to show your face in the home 
that my love shall give to her — and whatever laws 
men have made to bind you and her together, I'll break 
them and rid her of you ! D'ye hear ? She's mine ! 
She's mine! She's mine! [Throws Sir Brice back 
on the floor. To Dulcie.] My wife! My child! 
Come ! You're mine ! [David seizes Dulcie in his 
arms and falls against l. door. Curtain begins to 
descend when Sir Brice thrown down.] 



Ii6 



of. Alps 




ACT IV. 



Scene — The Ohesrvatory on Mount Garidelli in the 
Maritime Alps, near Nice. 

Li door, right. A large fireplace, with pine cones 
and pine logs ready laid, above door, right. At the 
hack, seen through a large curtained doorway, is 
the circular Observatory with large telescope. This 
room is vaguely seen, the telescope being lighted by 
a shaft of moonlight at the beginning of the Act. 
On the left side, slant-wise, a large loindow, with 
terrace outside, giving scenery of the Maritime Alps. 
A large armchair above the fireplace. On table 
and scattered about the room are a number of scien- 
tific books and astronomical instruments and ap- 
paratus. The window is curtained ivith Eastern 
curtains. As curtain rises the whole scene is dark 
except for the shaft of moonlight that falls on the 
telescope. 

[Enter David and Dulcie.^] 

David. 

Come in ! Come to your home ! My wife ! 

DUL. 

[Cold, shuddering.'] Ah no — don't call me that — at 
least not yet. 

David. 

You're shivering! Let me give you some wine. 

[Goes to cupboard, brings out bottle and glass, which 
he fills, places them on table.'] 

117 



1 David comfs 
on from r. 
door, carr'i- 
ing lighted 
lantern 
which he 
hangs on n 
hook c. 
Takes off h <i t 
and chuik 
and puts 
them on o 
chair up l., 
returns to 
door and 
leads in Did. 
cie. 



ACT IV 



THE MASQUERADERS 



DUL. 

ISTo, no, tell me [Goes to him, looks into his face.'] 

David. 



* As fire burns 
\ip, one am- 
ber line 
comes on 
from L. shelf, 
and one from 
fire-place ; 
both shine on 
arm-chair. 



t Floats slowly 
up. 



1 Kneels L. of 
her. 



t When cur- 
tains are 
draion bat- 
tens and 
pros, gradu- 
ally up. 



1 Moves R. of 
her and 
kneels. 



[With great tenderness.] Dulcie! Dulcie! What 
is it, dear? How cold you are. I'll light the fire. 
[Lights fire, which is already laid with large pine 
cones and logs and quickly blazes up.*] I'm your 
servant now. IVe nothing to do all my life but wait 
on you. We shall soon have a blaze with these pine 
logs. My servants left me last night. I thought I 
should have no further use for them. I thought my 
life here was ended. Ended ! My life has only be- 
gun this last hour. [Clasping her.] Dulcie! Do 
you know where you are ? You are in your home. 
Take off your hat and cloak, dear. [Gently removes 
her cloak and puts it on chair.-f] There ! [Seats her 
at the fire in large chair.] This is your own hearth, 
dear, your own fireside. You are my bride ! No 
bride was ever so welcome as you.-^ Poor hands so 
cold. [Takes her hands in his, rubs them; as he does 
so they both at one moment see her wedding-ring. 
Dulcie withdraws her hand in shame. They look at 
each other horrified. A pause.] Give me your hand. 

[She holds it out. He takes off the ring, goes to win- 
dow, draws aside the curtains, opens windoiv, 
throws away the ring, comes back to her. The 
dawn outside begins and gradually rises into a full 
sunrise during progress of Act.l^.] 

DuL. 

[As he returns to her.] Oh, you'll be very kind to me ? 

David. 

I have no life, no ambition away from you. The 
world has gone from me. This journey to Africa — 
it was the object of my life — it's less than nothing to 
me now.^ I've thrown it^ away, _IlYe,forgotteii it, be- 
cause you ask"e.d*me. 

LI 8 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT IV 



limes before 
and behind 
transpar- 
ency slowly 
change from 
blue to rose. 



DUL. 

Ah no, you mustn't do that. Oh, I'm selfish to take 
you from your comrades, from your work. You must 
go and make this great discovery. 

David, 

I've made the one great discovery there was to make. 
It's the cunningest of them all. We astronomers 
have been puzzling all our lives to find out what gravi- 
tation is. I've found it out. Gravitation is love. 
It's love that holds together all this universe. 
It's love that drives every little atom in space to rush 
to every other little atom. There's love at the centre 
of the system. There's love at the centre of all things. 
iSTo astronomer ever made a discovery equal to that! 
Dulcie, look at me ! What ails you ? What are you 
thinking of ? * 

DuL. 

Nell and Eosy. They'll be here soon. 

David. 
Yes. They can't be long. Don't think of them. 
Think only of ourselves. 

DuL. 
Why wouldn't you come with me to Beaulieu and 
bring them up here ? 

David. 

I was afraid your sister would take you from me. I 
wanted to have you all to myself. When she comes 
here I wanted her to find you already in your home. 

DUL. 

It's so strange. 

David. 
What is strange ? 

DuL. 

To be here with you — ^alone. 

David. 
It's not strange to me. You've been here so often 

119 



ACT IV 



THE MASOUERADERS 



already. In my loneliness I've pictured you here 
hundreds of times. I at my work in there, you in 
this chair by the fire, Eosy playing about the floor. 

DuL.i 

Rosy. 

David. 



* Gets up and 
goes c. 



* Rises. 



* Call Eddie, 
Helen. 



She is my child now, as you are my wife.^ Dulcie, 
say you know we have done right. 

DUL. 

IDistraded.l^ Right! Yes — yes — I suppose so! 
What else could we do ? What else could I do ! 

David. 
Say you know we have done right. 

DuL. 
Yes — yes — I can't think now. [Returning and throw- 
ing her arms round /i?m.] I only know I love you. 

David. 

[Clasping her madly. ~\ Dulcie, this is your home, 
this is our wedding-day. My bride ! 

DuL. 
[Tearing herself from /rim.*] No, no — not now — not 
yet! My promise to Nell — I promised her I would 
take no step till I had seen her. 

David. 
[Pursuing her, fiercely clasping her.l You've taken 
the step. You're mine 

DUL. 

No, no. [Repulsing him again.l Let me think. 
Wait till Nell comes. Ah, don't think I don't love 
you. There's nothing I wouldn't do or suffer for you. 
There's not a thought in my heart that isn't yours. 
Say you know it ! Say you know it ! 

David. 
I know it. What then? Tell me what's in your 
heart. 

1 20 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT IV 



DUL. 

I can't. Can't you guess ? ^ * ^'"^" ^- <'• 

David. 
Guess — ^what ? 

DUL. 

Oh, it was horrible with him. There was no home, 
no family, no love. It seemed like a blasphemy of 
home to live with him. But this — I can't tell you 
how I feel — I don't think any man can understand it. 
It's only a woman, and not all women — not many 
women perhaps — but I feel it. I can't get rid of it. 
To live with you seems more horrible than the other. 
I cannot ! I cannot ! I cannot ! 

David. 

[Very calmly, very sweetly, very soothingly. 1 Dear- 
est, you mustn't talk like this. Heaven bear me wit- 
ness you will come to me as pure as if I took you 
from your mother's side, as pure as if you had never 
known any kiss but your sister's. 

[^Attempting to embrace Jier.'] 

Dtjl. 

Ah! [Slirinhing from him.l Don't I tell you, a 
man can't understand my feelings. 

[Looks at him half-loving, half -horrified; stands look- 
ing at him. A little pause.^ 

David.^ 

[Same soft, tender tone, very persuasive, very low, 
very sweet. 1^ Dulcie, in a very little while you will 
grow to think of me as if I were your very husband 
— as I shall be; and with you, and your sister, and 
Eddie, and Rosy, we shall make one happy, one united 
family. [Approaching her."] 

DuL. 

Ah ! that's it. I feel 



» Crossing to 
hr-r und ge* 
ting L. ofhei. 



121 



ACT IV 



THE MASQUERADERS 



David. 

^Clasping her again.l What ? 

DUL. 

We can't be a family that way. There's only one way 
of being a family.^ 

David. 
And that ? 

DuL. 

By the marriage and love of husband and wife. 

David. 



* Going R. 



♦ Limes slowly 
change from 
rose to amber 
everything 
goes full up. 



It is marriage I offer you. Dulcie, you must see 
there's no future for you away from me. Say you'll 
give yourself to me willingly. [Pause.^ I will not 
take you else. Give yourself to me ! 

DuL. 
[After a pause.'] I am yours. 
David. 
ISTo. Give yourself to me — wholly, freely, willingly. 

DuL. 

Oh ! don't you see ? I would give you myself — a 
thousand selves if I could. What is there in me that 
is worth giving, or worth your taking now ? 

David. 
Everything, everything. Give yourself to me ! 

DuL. 
If I give you myself I give you the last four years 
with me. They are part of me. I shall only feel 
that I can never get rid of them. I cannot get rid of 
them. Every time you kiss me I shall see him beside 
us! I cannot! I cannot! I cannot! I cannot! 
[Pause. Eddie holes in at window.*'] 

Eddie. 
Ho, ho, Davy ! Ho, ho ! Here we are ! 

122 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT IV 



DUL. 

[Goes to window, goes up to Jiim.l 
Rosy, are they with you ? 

Eddie. 



My sister and 



[Pointing down below.'] Quite safe. Here they are. 
Look alive, Davy! We've no time to waste. I shall 
be ready in a twinkling. I'm half a fool, and half a 
wise man just now. In two minutes I shall be in my 
right senses — or in as many as I've got — and 

then [Passes hy.^} 

David. 

[To DuLCiE.] Dulcie, your sister is here. Tell her 
that henceforth you are my wife. 

DUL. 

I am your slave, your dog, your anything ! ^ Take 
me if you will — take me ! But kill me after. If you 
don't I shall kill myself. 

[Helen enters at door, k. stands for a moment look- 
ing at one and then at the other. ^ 

Helen. 
Dulcie. [Dulcie goes to her, saying, " Kell."] 

DuL. 
Rosy — where is she ? ^ 

Helen. 

[Pointing off.] She's there. [Dulcie is going. 
Helen stops her.] Let me look at you. [Dulcie 
looks frankly at her. Helen smiles, kisses her.] 
Go to your baby. [Exit Dulcie. Helen shuts the 
door after Dulcie.] You've taken her from him? 

[David nods.] 

Helen. 



For good and all ? 
For good and all. 



David. 



123 



* Off up L. 



* Goes c. David 
clasps her in 
his arms. At 
end of speech, 
she staggers 
back from 
him. 



• David move* 

L. 



ACT IV 



THE MASQUERADERS 



Helen. 
Why have you brought her here ? 

David. 
To make her my wife. 

Helen. 
Your wife? That is impossible unless 

David. 

Unless 1 
^ . Helen. 

Unless her husband divorces her and takes her child 
from her. 

David. 



* Moves to her. 

Eddie calls 
off, " Davy ! " 
then enters 
up R. David 
goes L. 

• Eddie goes to 

chair up l., 
nyid puts 
cloak on it. 



I've won her from him, her and the child, 
come between us. Give them to me ! ^ 



Don't 



Helen. 

[Stops him.'\ She is not mine to give. She is not 
yours to take. Your brother tells me you're going on 
this expedition to Africa this morning. 

David. 
I'm not going. 

Helen. 

!N'ot going? But you have looked forward to it all 
your life 1 

David. 

I've wasted all my life in such dreams and shadows 
as work and duty. What has it availed me ? Kow I 
see one chance of happiness before me, don't take it 
from me!^ Give them to me! [^She stops him.'\ 
I will have them ! 

[Eddie enters dressed ready to start. 1 
Eddie. 
Davy, old boy, look alive ! The men have got every- 
thing on the mules. We've not a moment to waste.^ 

124 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT IV 



I'm not going. 



David. 
Eddie. 



Not going ? But they are all waiting for us.^ If we 
don't go, all the expeditions everywhere will be a 
failure. Davy, you aren't going to sell them all like 
a — like a — They'll call you a — will, you fill in the 
word. 

David. 
I'm not going. 

Eddie. 

But what excuse can we make ? 

David. 
Any excuse you like — I've changed my mind.^ 

Helen. 

[With quiet sarcasm.'] Is that a good excuse for a 
soldier to make just as he's ordered into battle? 

David. 

I'm not a soldier. 

Helen. 

Yes, you are. We are all soldiers on this earth, 
bound to be loyal to every one of our comrades, bound 
to obey the great rules of life, whether they are easy 
or hard. Yes, and all the more bound when they are 
hard, when they may cost us our very life. You'll go 
— ^you'll go, and leave her to me and Rosy ? 

David. 

I love her ! I love her ! 

Helen. 

Then save her for her child. Save her to be a good 
mother to that little helpless creature she has brought 
into the world, so that when her girl grows up and she 
has to guide her, she'll not have to say to her child, 
" You can give yourself to this man, and if you don't 
like him you can give yourself to another, and to 

125 



' Moves down 
to David, 
and speaks 
very earn- 
estly, after- 
wards movet 
up and 
stands on 
balcony out- 
side wind<yu> 



' Going c. 



ACT IV 



THE MASQUERADERS 



another, and so on. It doesn't matter. It was what 
I did I" 

David. 

\_8ame tone.'\ I love her! I love her! I love her! 
You shan't reason me out of my happiness ! 

Helen. 

[Stopping him.'] I can't reason at all. I can only 
feel, and I know my instinct is right. I know the 
woman who gives herself to another man while her 
husband is alive betrays her sex, and is a bad woman. 

David. 

I love her! I love her! [Going towards door.] 

Helen. 

[Stopping him.'] Then make your love the best thing 
in her life, and the best thing in yours. You have 
loved her so well. You have made so many sacrifices 
for her. Make this one last sacrifice. Keep her pure 
for her child.* ^ 

Eddie. 



* Ped light to 
curtain. 

» David re- 
mains c, 
back to audi- 
ence. Eddie 
watches from 
window. 



* Goes to her. 



* Dulcie goes 
L. c. Helen 
goes to fire- 
place. 



That's God's voice speaking to you now, Davy. 
[Dulcie enters e. very quietly, loolcing off. 

DUL. 

[To David.] She's asleep. Go and look at her. 
[Exit David, r. Dulcie is about to follow. Helen 

stops her.] 

Helen. 

Dulcie. 

DUL. 

What ? 2 

Helen. 

He's given his word to his comrades. Don't make 
him play the coward.^ 

[David re-enters, much calmer.] 
126 



THE MASQUERADERS 



ACT IV 



David. 

Miss Larondie, I'll write to you from Marseilles. I 
have left everything in order for her. If by any 
chance I should not return 



Ah! \_Goes to him.'] 



DUL. 



David. 



Take care of her while I'm away. 

DuL. 

But if you do not return ? 

David. 

[Very calm, very hitter, very tender, with a little 
smile.] Then — we shall have played our parts well 
in this little puppet-show, shall we not ? Don't cry, 
my dear, why should you ? If I were a soldier, you 
would tell me to go. We shall not be absent from each 
other long. Don't cry, dear. It's my duty to go, 
Dulcie. Be brave. Tell me to go. 

DuL. 

[Boivs her head.] Go. Go.^ 

David. 

\_Going from her some steps.] I've played this great 
game of love like a fool, as men would say. Perhaps 
I've played the great game of life like a fool, too. 
If we are sacrificing ourselves for a shadow we are 
only doing what earth's best creatures have done be- 
fore us. If duty is reality, we have done right. 
Bight — wrong — duty — they may be all shadows, but 
my love for you is real. [Dulcie is sohhing, lie 
comes to her.] Hush! Hush, dear! We shall never 
know satiety. Our love will never grow stale and 
commonplace, will it ? Dulcie, we've only thrown 
away the husks. We've kept the immortal part of 
our love — if there is an immortal part. Look ! this 
is my mother's wedding ring. [Tahing a very thin 

127 



1 She turns her 
back to audi- 
ence and 
leans against 
chair. David 
crosses front 
of her., as if 
to go to irin- 
doiv ; then 
turns to her. 



ACT IV 



THE MASQUERADERS 



gold ring from his little finger.^ She gave it to me 
as she was dying. It has never left my finger since. 
I give it you in exchange for the one I took from you. 
Give me your hand. [Dulcie gives it.^ With this 
ring I thee wed. As she that bore me was pure, so 
I leave you pure, dear. Kiss me once — I've held 
you sacred! [She kisses him.'] Good-bye. No, 
stay.^ [Pours out a glass of wine, gives it to her.] 
Drink with me. [She takes the glass, drinks some of 
it. He takes it from her, drains it, dashes the glass 
on the floor, where it is shivered to atoms; he then 
turns very brightly and gaily to Eddie.] Now Eddie 
— our work ! 

Eddie. 
Ready, big brother ! ^ 

David. 



* Takes glass of 
wine he has 
previously 
poured out 
and left on 
table up L. 
and gives it 
to her. 



• Eddie hands 
cloak. 



[To Dulcie.] In six months from now, come to 
meet me, my wife, and bring our child. Or, it may 
be a little later — but come and meet me — my wife — 
a little later. 

DuL. 
Where ? 

David. 

In that little star in Andromeda. All's real there. 
[Exeunt Eddie and David through window.] 

Curtain. 

// curtain is called up, show a picture of David 
outside the window, in the full morning sunlight, 
the mountains covered with snow behind him; Eddie 
is beside him drawing him away. 



128 



ACT I. 
Time of Representation — Thirty-eight minutes. 

Hand Properties. — Claret-tray, and glasses; pocketbook and 
stamps for Brinkler; key and glass cloth for Dulcie; candle for 
Reraon ; cooper's mallet for Randall. 

Furniture. — Small rustic table and two chairs l.c. ; long 
table, form, and chairs ii. ; barrel and stool up l.c. ; form up c. ; 
table and form chairs in back room. 

Other Properties. — Writing materials and railway guides 
outside bar; " Sporting Times " and matches on r. table ; bottle of 
gin, water jug, glasses, pewter, etc., inside bar; newspapers on 
L. c. table ; candlestick, etc., in further room; bell hanging l. ; 
appropriate articles to dress scene. 

Light. — Everything full up during act; tee -pendant in bar; 
burners and consumers over doors and openings; chandelier in 
room up c. ; two amber limes l. shelf; ditto R. ; four other limes, 
one R. fly, one l. fly, two outside gates. 

ACT II. 
Time op Representation — Thirty-two minutes. 

Hand Properties. — Wedding ring for Dulcie; coins for Sir 
Brice. 

Furniture Used. — Sofa r.c, small table r. of it; sofa up l. ; 
chair down l. ; basket chairs off c. 

Other Properties. — Flowers, palms, ornaments, etc. 

Lights. — Everything full up during Act; lighted sconces and 
chandeliers; two amber limes L. ; shelf ditto u. shelf; one off 
down L. ; ditto up R. ; two blue limes off c. ; change to yellow 
at cue. 

ACT III. 

Time of Representation — Twenty-eight minutes. 

Hand Properties. — Salver and letter for servant. 

Furniture Used. — Sofa r. small table above it ; armchair 
front of fireplace ; writing desk and chair up L. ; chair down 
L. ; card table c, armchair either side of it; dressing-table 
and chair off up c; cabinet off L.; carpets, rugs, etc. 
9 129 



I30 THE MASQUERADERS. 

Other Properties. — Decanters and glasses, bell push l.; 
loose cards on floor and table, also half dozen broken packs. 

Lights. — Everything three-quarters up through act, lighted 
sconces, lire and chandelier, two pale blue limes off R., one 
amber lime at fireplace, one open lime behind trans. C, two 
amber limes L. shelf, ditto R. shelf. 

ACT IV. 
Time of Representation.— Fifteen minutes. 

Hand Properties. — Lighted lantern, hat and cloak for 
David, cloak for Dulcie, rings used this act. 

Furniture. — Table and chair down l. ; table up c. ; cup- 
board up R.C.; table down R.; armchair front by fire ; chair 
up L. 

Other Properties.— Decanter and glasses in cupboard, 
matches on mantel ; telescope down L. 

Lights. — When curtain rises, everything to be as low as 
possible, at cues everything to go gradually up, fire ready to 
be lighted, amber limes L. of shelf, ditto at fireplace, both to 
come on when fire is lighted ; one special blue lime from L. 
fly to shine on telescope at back ; three limes front of trans- 
parency, two behind ; these change colors at once. 

Music. — For rise of curtain to continue till David speaks. 



PROPERTY PLOT. 

ACT I. 

Rustic table L. C. with chair either side. Long plain 
table R. Chair L. of it, form R. of it. Four chairs and 
a table in room up C. Form outside window. Three 
chairs on gallery R. over bar. Wine barrel up L. C, 
stool beside it. Two pails down L. Shrubs in boxes 
about Scene. Rope mats at doors. Carpets and rods to 
stairs. Mats to doors on gallery, curtains to windows. 
Flower boxes on balustrade, flower-pots over bar. Flags 
and wreathing hanging from roof. Clock in C. of bal- 
cony. Spring bells on Scene L. Special one by stair- 
case. Coaching pasters about Scene. Cards, matches, 
pipes, etc., on table in further room. Railway guides 
and subscription lists hanging on bar window. Writing 
materials and newspapers outside bar. Inside bar, jugs, 
glasses, pewters, beer engine, men, etc. Matches and 
" Sporting Times " on R. table. Newspaper on L. C. 
table. Wedding ring and lighted candle off R. for 
David. Key and glass cloth for Dulcie. Bottle of claret 
on cradle. Tray and two glasses for Brinkler; also 
pocketbook and stamps, handbag for Helen, cooper's 
mallet in bar for Montague. 

ACT II. 

Handsome drawing-room furniture, sofa R. C. Small 
table below it, chair R. of table. Table down R., vase 
below it, chair above it. Pedestal up R., small cabinet 
beside it. Pedestal up L., small table beside it. Sofa up 
L., cabinet behind chair, below two handsome pedestal 



132 THE MASQUERADERS 

lamps R. and L., small table down L. Chair above. 
Table and settee and piano off L. Table off R. Arm- 
chair, two duet seats and small table on balcony C. 
Palms and floral decorations to lavishly dress Scene. 
Three handsome hanging baskets of flowers from ceiling. 
French square C. Rugs to openings. Coffee cups on 
table up C. Wedding ring for Dulcie. Coins for Sir 
Brioe. 

ACT III. 

Handsome sitting-room furniture. Sofa R., chair be- 
low it, small table above. Armchair and footstool front 
of fire. Table above it. Writing-desk and chair L. of 
C. door. Settee up L. Chair down L. Round card- 
table C. Chair either side. Cabinet off L. Dressing- 
table, armchair and settee off C. Carpets off C. and off 
L. Rugs to fireplace, window, and C. door. Carpet 
square C. Fender and fireirons. Handsome mirror, 
clock and candelabra on mantelshelf. Palms and flowers 
on balcony. Decanter and glasses on small table R. 
Bell push L. of fire. Mirror, hairbrushes, combs, lighted 
candles, etc., on dressing-table off C. Loose cards on 
floor and on table, and a half dozen in broken packs. 
Salver and letter for servant. 

ACT IV. 

Good plain furniture. Small table down R., ditto 
above R. door. Armchair front of fire ; table above. 
Cupboard up R. C. Long table up C, chair L. of it. 
Table and armchair down L. Telescope on tripod L. C. 
Mariner's compass beside it. Sextant, quadrant, orrery 
and various astronomical appliances about Scene, also 
globes, books, maps, charts, etc. Box of matches on 
mantel, log basket R. of fire. Rugs to hearth and doors 
and openings. Lighted lantern off R. 



THE MASQUERADERS 133 

SCENE PLOT. 

ACT I. 

Courtyard of Old Coaching Inn. R. is a built out 
semicircular bar, with windows, shelves and counter, in 
the middle of bar is a casement to slide up, a practical 
half door and a counter flap. Beyond bar narrow door 
next to which is an opening with corridor backing. At 
right angles to opening is a short staircase with small 
platform and dummy door. Above that is another open- 
ing. C. is a large bow window beyond which is a bar 
parlour with door at back. L. of window is a door. 
And L. of door is an opening. Below that is a short 
staircase with platform and practical interior backed door. 
L. of staircase is a narrow opening with steps beside is a 
booking office, below are two high gates fastened with 
iron bar supported by stout pillars. A balustraded gallery 
runs round Scene, and supported by further pillars a glass 
roof covers the whole courtyard. Leading into gallery 
are seven doors 3 C, 2 R., 2 L., also there are 6 windows 
at regular intervals. Behind gallery is a strong platform 
with practical steps. Sand and stone stage cloth. 

ACT II. 

Handsome green and gold drawing-room opening with 
corridor backing up R. Opening with balustrade and 
illuminated house backing C. Opening with corridor 
backing down L. Parquet stage cloth, handsome ceiling. 

ACT HI. 

Good papered chamber with plain ceiling to represent 
sitting-room in French Hotel. Door with corridor back- 
ing down L. Door with practical lock C. Beyond it a 



134 THE MASQUERADERS 

dressing-room. Fireplace up R. Down R. are French 
windows with balustrade and illuminated backing show- 
ing seashore at Nice by night. 

ACT IV. 

Dark wooden chamber with ceiling to match. Door 
with interior backing down R., above that a built out 
fireplace, above fireplace a door, At right angles to that 
an opening showing semicircular observatory with large 
profile telescope. L. of Scene is a wide opening with 
French windows outside which are a balustrade and a 
long panorama transparency showing view of Alps. 

GAS AND LIME PLOT. 

ACT I. 

Chandelier in room up C. Lamp over bar R. Another 
up stairway L. T pendant and two brackets in bar. 
Burners over opening R. and door up C. and in room up 
C. Globes and consumers to same. All of the above to 
be lighted. Everything except batteries full up during 
Act. Four amber limes. 2 R. shelf, 2 L. shelf. Four 
blue limes. 2 outside gateway L., i from R. flies, i 
from L. flies. 

ACT II. 

Lighted Sconces up and down L. Ditto R. Hand- 
some chandelier off L. The whole Scene to be bril- 
liantly illuminated. Six amber limes — 2 R. shelf, 2 L. 
shelf. I off up R., I off down L. Two blue limes on 
backing up C. Change at cue to yellow. 

ACT III. 

Chandelier from ceiling C, sconces up L. and R. and 
down L. Three light brackets off L. Fire up R. All of 



THE MASQUERADERS 135 

the above to be lighted. Everything to be f up during 
Act. Five amber limes, 2 R. shelf, 2 L. shelf, i through 
fireplace. Two pale blue limes on backing R. One 
white lime behind transparency up C. 

ACT IV. 

Log fire R. to be lit at cue. When curtain rises every- 
thing to be down as low as possible. At cues everything 
to go gradually up. Two amber limes, i from L. shelf, 
I through fireplace, both to come on slowly when fire 
burns up. One special blue lime from L. fly to shine on 
telescope. Three limes in front of panorama cloth and 
two behind. These must be fitted with long glasses 
stained blue, red, yellow consecutively to admit of gradual 
change of colour at cues. 



